CIF Education, Training and Skills Committee

CIF Safety and Training Department

The respective CIF department, led by Dermot Carey (Director, Safety and Training) act as the voice of the contracting sector of the construction industry in Ireland. The Department works to identify and manage skills and training needs within the construction sector and address the emerging skills needs as they arise. The primary objective is to ensure that the construction industry can grow to meet the economic challenges of the country with competent staff to deliver on current and future projects.

Expansible Items

The CIF Education, Training and Skills Committee develops and implements policies to encourage persons to consider a career in construction, and to facilitate their ongoing professional development through identification of appropriate training, skills and opportunities. The committee reports directly to the CIF Executive Body.

The mandate of the committee is as follows:

To consider all policy developments and matters in relation to the construction sector
To oversee and guide CIF’s relations with relevant bodies including Government and State agencies with training and education functions
To develop a CIF strategy on education and training planning, particularly in relation to apprenticeships and skills development
To advise and implement appropriate CIF Training and Action Programmes

The committee consults with Government and other State Bodies such as SOLAS, Education & Training Boards, and the industry to address emerging skills needs and identify opportunities to future-proof the industry against skills shortages. To this end it targets three key areas:

Working with Government Department of Social Protection and, Education & Training Boards to develop training opportunities for the unemployed and to facilitate access to the construction industry
Working with second and third-level education institutions, careers guidance teachers and the Techno Teachers Association to identify and develop opportunities for students and promote access in the sector for second-level students

Engage with Irish construction professionals and workers overseas to promote career development opportunities in Ireland.

Addressing Industry Staffing Requirements

As part of its strategy to meet this demand, the CIF attends education and trade exhibitions to highlight career opportunities in the industry. The goal of this strategy is to develop and attract quality construction professionals, apprentices and semi-skilled operatives to the Irish construction Industry to ensure a sustainable industry that can meet the needs of a growing economy.

CIF Careers Campaign

The CIF’s Careers Campaign aims to promote the industry as an attractive career destination. The CIF has secured the support of its members, the Government, clients of the industry and corporate partners of CIF, in funding and executing the campaign. For the initial three-year period, the campaign will focus on:

A structured school outreach programme connecting schools and members
Execution of a national CIF Challenge aimed at senior cycle students
A national advertising campaign supporting the above and repositioning the industry with key audience.

CIF Jobs Platform

The CIF maintains a jobs webpage for CIF members, which allows for them to advertise their vacant positions for free and for jobseekers to register their interest direct to the employer. Non-members can advertise their vacant positions at a competitive cost. For more details, see: https://cifjobs.ie/

The 3-step process to be followed by members is as follows:

Register as an Employer here: https://cifjobs.ie/register/
Email [email protected] and request an upgrade to a member account