Positive outlook in region for construction

THE Construction Industry Federation has set up a Regional Development Sub Committee with the goal of ensuring that all of Ireland’s regions, including the South East, benefit from the economic upturn nationally.

The committee will monitor the National Planning Framework and ensure the regions are represented as the construction industry slowly returns to ‘normal levels’.

The Chairman of the South East Branch of the CIF is Brian Byrne, Managing Director of Cleary Doyle Construction based in Clonard.

In the South East, the federation said there is a more positive outlook for construction projects.

‘ The New Ross & Enniscorthy Bypass projects are two major infrastructural projects which will benefit the whole region. The new West Pharmaceutical project and the €10m Waterford City Centre Urban Renewal are also ongoing.

‘CIF members have also been involved in other projects throughout the region including the GIY HQ.’

The federation said the said the gradual increase in construction levels will lead to more job opportunities in the South East. Four South East members of the Construction Industry Federations recently came together to set up an Apprentice Sharing Scheme.

If work quietens down for one of the companies in an area, the apprentice can be temporarily transferred to one of the other companies in it so as to ensure the apprentice has continuous work and can complete his apprenticeship.

The CIF have set up the www.apprentices.ie website. CIF members can advertise available apprenticeships in their company free of charge on the website. While potential apprentices can also post up their profiles on the site seeking an apprenticeship.

In an effort to attract skilled Irish workers abroad, back to work in Ireland the CIF has recently launched www.cifjobs.ie. The website is the first port of call for employers who wish to promote their available construction jobs to the Irish abroad

South East CIF members said they want to see the South East region prosper and actively encouraging and supporting development in the region. The Construction Industry Federation will be hosting their first major social event in the South East in several years early this month. The South East Construction Ball will be held in Faithlegg House hotel, Waterford on Friday February, 10. Anyone interested in attending should contact the CIF South East Executive Ronan O’Brien on robrien@cif.ie or 087-2043766.