CONSULTATION OPEN: DRAFT NATIONAL UPSKILLING ROADMAP TARGETS SKILLS GAPS TO ACHIEVE CLIMATE GOALS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

The Build Up Skills Ireland 2030 (BUSI2030) initiative launched a public consultation for a National Upskilling Roadmap for sustainability in the built environment. The roadmap sets the path to address skills gaps and labour shortages that could prevent Ireland from meeting its 2030’s climate and housing targets.

BUSI2030’s initial research indicates that the construction industry will require the recruitment of up to 120,000 additional skilled construction workers (professionals and trades) and the re-skilling of the existing 164,000 construction workers, by 2030 to deliver on Ireland’s housing and climate targets. The draft roadmap provides a set of recommendations to address these challenges and meet the identified shortfall in the areas of energy efficiency, decarbonisation – including life cycle analysis, digitalisation and circularity.

Key recommendations include:
The need for a strong concerted effort to develop a more effective and efficient Construction Skills Eco-System and support upskilling at scale.
Introducing mandatory Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) Fundamentals Training across the sector to improve quality assurance.
Prioritising adding low carbon, circularity and nature-based modules to existing construction courses and to further skills development related to the Built Environment.
Delivering more accessible and flexible accredited further training opportunities.
Launching a national campaign targeting those within education (primary, secondary and tertiary) and the current workforce to promote Green Construction Careers.
Developing and supporting a public awareness campaign to highlight the positive actions the construction industry can adopt to tackle climate and meet housing targets.

Seamus Hoyne, Dean Flexible and Work Based Learning at Technological University of the Shannon and project lead on BUSI2030, said:
“The draft roadmap is our blueprint for building a skilled workforce that drives sustainable construction and support the decarbonisation of Ireland’s built environment. By engaging the construction industry in this consultation, we aim to shape together a future where skills development aligns with the urgent needs of a greener built environment”.

Sinéad Hughes, BUSI2030 Programme Manager at the Irish Green Building Council added:
“The plan is set, but to turn this vision into reality, we need a collective effort—from policymakers to educators and industry. Every voice counts and we want to encourage everyone involved in the construction sector to contribute. This will support us in refining our recommendations and ensuring they will be implemented.”

The draft National Upskilling Roadmap was developed by the BUSI2030 project partners through extensive stakeholder engagement across public, education and industry sectors. BUSI2030 is a joint initiative by the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC), Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB) and the Construction Industry Federation (CIF). It is supported by the European Union through the Life programme.

The draft Roadmap is open for public feedback until Friday 9th February 2024.
You can read the document and have your say at www.igbc.ie/resources/national-upskilling-roadmap-2024-2030-draft-for-public-consultation/

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com    WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE         WWW.IRISHCONSTRUCTION.COM