Young People Urged To Consider Careers In Construction Industry

School leavers investigating career options have been urged to give "careful consideration" to college construction courses and construction-related apprenticeships.

Stating that the "recession is now over" Fine Gael Cork North Central Senator, Colm Burke, said that as the economy begins to recover, the construction industry will also experience growth.

"In a modern advanced economy the construction sector should be contributing a 10-12% share of the domestic economy. This figure was more than 20% at the height of the boom. The construction sector in Ireland is currently contributing less than 5%, however recent CSO figures indicate that employment in the construction sector has begun to increase," Senator Burke said.

Adding: "Now is the time for young people to look at future career prospects in the construction sector. The residential and commercial sectors are likely to experience strong growth in the years ahead. In Cork alone, we see the recent emergence of several large projects such as the renovation of Páirc Uí Chaoimh, the building of a the new Cork Prison, the development of the proposed Convention Centre, the 200,000 square foot office development on Albert Quay and the Cork Flood Defences. The demand for qualified construction tradespeople will increase in the years ahead. And of course a construction-related skill or trade is a valuable qualification to have if one wishes to work abroad."

(MH/CD)