The Government welcomes the publication of the National Economic and Social Council’s (NESC) report, Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland, which sets out clear evidence of the multiple benefits of compact urban development.
Compact growth refers to encouraging more development within the existing footprints of cities, towns, and villages—through the creation of walkable neighbourhoods and the renovation of vacant and derelict properties—rather than expanding into surrounding greenfield land.
The report highlights that compact growth delivers wide-ranging benefits, including:
Reduced car dependency and increased use of sustainable transport
Improved productivity and innovation
Better access to services
Lower costs for public infrastructure and services
While the Government is on track to meet its National Planning Framework target of ensuring 40% of new housing is built within existing urban areas, the fastest-growing developments are still often located on the outskirts of towns and villages.
One key challenge to compact growth is that greenfield development remains more financially attractive to developers than brownfield alternatives. Building houses on undeveloped land is generally cheaper than constructing more compact housing such as apartments. However, when the full societal costs are considered—including higher infrastructure spending, increased travel distances, and higher carbon emissions—brownfield development proves to be the more cost-effective and sustainable option.
In response, NESC makes several important recommendations:
Increase public investment to unlock land suitable for compact growth, especially through major urban regeneration projects and upgrades to critical infrastructure like water services.
Review development incentives to provide greater support for brownfield and infill development.
Implement recommendations from the Residential Construction Cost Study Report (2023) and pursue the six actions on Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) identified by NESC in 2024 to reduce the cost of building apartments.
The Government recognises that many current and planned policies support compact growth. These include:
Renovation grants for vacant and derelict buildings
The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme, which supports apartment development in urban centres
Programme for Government commitments, such as creating a strategic fund to invest in infrastructure, assemble sites, and de-risk land in urban areas to maximise development potential
The proposal to allow for small homes in existing gardens, which could also support this objective
Compact growth is a core pillar of the National Planning Framework (NPF), Ireland’s long-term spatial strategy up to 2040. The Government reaffirms its full commitment to advancing compact, sustainable, and community-focused development.
Read NESC’s report, Deepening Compact Growth in Ireland
Ireland’s construction professionals across the industry are increasingly recognising the value and necessity of upskilling. From advancements in digital technology and sustainable building practices to the rising demand for specialist skills in areas like civil engineering, project management, and health and safety, the landscape is shifting fast. To remain competitive, construction workers, engineers, and site managers alike are investing in further training and certification.
This drive to upskill isn’t just about staying relevant, it’s also about seizing new opportunities in a buoyant market. And there’s no better place to explore those opportunities than at Construction Job Expo, Ireland’s only dedicated recruitment event for the construction and engineering sectors, which returns to the RDS, Dublin on Saturday, 7th June 2025.
Ireland's National Development Plan (NDP) and Housing for All strategy continue to funnel significant investment into infrastructure, housing, and public sector construction. But while the projects are in place, skills shortages remain a challenge. According to a recent report from the CIF (Construction Industry Federation), the sector will require tens of thousands of additional workers across trades and professional roles in the coming years.
In response, many professionals are upskilling through part-time courses, apprenticeships, and CPD-accredited programmes in fields such as:
Training providers, colleges, and professional bodies have ramped up their offerings, while employers are more supportive than ever, often subsidising further education for staff in a bid to retain talent.
Construction Job Expo 2025 provides a unique platform where construction and engineering professionals can connect directly with employers who are actively hiring—and who value continued professional development. This free-to-attend event will bring together leading construction companies, recruitment agencies, and training providers under one roof.
Whether you're a qualified tradesperson, recent graduate, or experienced project manager, the Expo is the ideal place to:
Upskilling is no longer optional—it’s a strategic career move. By enhancing their skill sets, Irish construction professionals are unlocking new roles, better pay, and greater job security. And as the sector embraces digital transformation and sustainable practices, those who prepare now will be best positioned to lead the industry forward.
So mark your calendar: Saturday, 7th June 2025 at the RDS, Dublin. Whether you're looking to change roles, climb the ladder, or simply learn more about the industry's direction, Construction Job Expo is the must-attend event for anyone serious about a career in construction or engineering.
Keltia CAD Training Course: CNC Programming MasterCAM, CATIA & NX is an Online Learning, CAD Training Course by Keltia Ireland - Cork City, Co. Cork.
Keltia’s CNC Programming Fundamentals course provides a comprehensive introduction to Computer Numerical Control (CNC) programming using MasterCAM, CATIA, and NX. This course is designed for engineers, machinists, and manufacturing professionals looking to develop skills in toolpath creation, G-code programming, and machining strategies.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
As Ireland’s construction and engineering sectors continue to grow, the demand for skilled workers has never been higher. In a recent industry survey, the shortage of skilled labour was listed as the number one challenge facing employers, followed closely by issues such as government bureaucracy and delayed project approvals.
These pressures are being felt across the country, from residential building to major infrastructure projects. Companies urgently need qualified tradespeople, engineers, project managers, and support staff to meet growing demand and deliver essential developments on time and within budget.
That's why Construction Job Expo is more important than ever.
Construction Job Expo — Ireland’s only dedicated recruitment event for the construction and engineering sectors — returns to the RDS, Dublin on Saturday, 7th June 2025.
Held in Serpentine Hall, this is a must-attend event for anyone working in, or looking to join, the construction or engineering industries. Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent graduate, or a skilled tradesperson, the Expo will connect you directly with some of Ireland’s top employers who are actively hiring.
Meet leading construction and engineering companies face-to-face
Discover hundreds of job opportunities across a wide range of roles
Get career advice and insights from industry experts
Explore upskilling and training options to enhance your employability
Network with peers and recruiters in a focused, professional environment
With so many companies urgently seeking new talent, attending Construction Job Expo 2025 is your opportunity to take the next step in your career.
Whether you're an aspiring design engineer or an experienced professional looking to upgrade your skillset, CATIA V5/V6 Training offers an industry-recognised path to mastering one of the most powerful CAD (Computer-Aided Design) platforms used across aerospace, automotive, and industrial design sectors.
CATIA (Computer Aided Three-dimensional Interactive Application), developed by Dassault Systèmes, is widely regarded as the gold standard in product design and engineering. It enables users to create, simulate, and analyse complex 3D models with pinpoint accuracy, supporting the full development process from concept to production.
Industry Relevance: CATIA is used by global giants such as Boeing, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, and BMW. Learning this tool makes you job-ready for high-tech sectors worldwide.
Comprehensive Design Capabilities: From surface modelling and sheet metal design to assembly and structural analysis, CATIA covers every aspect of engineering and product lifecycle management.
Future-Proof Your Career: With increasing demand for digital design in advanced manufacturing, expertise in CATIA V5/V6 opens doors to roles in aerospace, automotive, robotics, and consumer product design.
V5 and V6 Integration: While CATIA V5 remains widely used, V6 brings enhanced collaboration, cloud-based tools, and real-time sharing. Training in both ensures you're versatile and future-ready.
3D Part Design and Assembly
Sketching and Parametric Modelling
Surface and Sheet Metal Modelling
Drafting and Technical Drawing
Simulation and Analysis Basics
Best Practices for Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Keltia’s CATIA V5/V6 Fundamentals course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to CATIA, covering everything from 2D sketching and 3D modeling to assembly design and drafting. This course is ideal for engineers, designers, and professionals looking to develop essential skills for aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Candidates can also explore advanced tools such as Surfacing, Lofting, Advanced Modeling, and Sheet Metal Design, CNC etc.
Keltia’s CATIA V5/V6 Fundamentals course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to CATIA, covering everything from 2D sketching and 3D modeling to assembly design and drafting. This course is ideal for engineers, designers, and professionals looking to develop essential skills for aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing industries. Candidates can also explore advanced tools such as Surfacing, Lofting, Advanced Modeling, and Sheet Metal Design, CNC etc.
This course is available for both individuals and groups, with 4 to 40 hours of training delivered through the Keltia online portal: https://www.keltia-ireland.ie/online-cad-mentoring/. Classes typically run on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in the late afternoon, but scheduling is flexible to accommodate students.
Live engineer instructor-led sessions ensure hands-on learning for faster and higher-quality skill development.
Course Content – CATIA V5/V6 Essentials & Advanced
Fundamentals Module:
Advanced Module:
Completion of this class should leave the student capable of entering V5 documents with an understanding of the file structure, basic functionality. They will know how to navigate the file structure to interrogate existing models and make simple parts.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
On April 9, 2025, Waterford City and County Council hosted a pivotal Housing Conference at the Granville Hotel, highlighting the urgent need to accelerate housing delivery across both public and private sectors. The event brought together key stakeholders from local government, industry, and academia to address the challenges and opportunities in meeting Waterford's growing housing demands.
Chief Executive Sean McKeown emphasized Waterford's rapid growth, noting that the city and county are expanding faster than the national average. He stated, "To sustain this momentum, we need to accelerate the momentum in housing delivery across all tenures, especially in the private sector." McKeown also reaffirmed the Council's commitment to delivering 1,130 social homes by 2026, with over 300 units completed last year and an additional 350 units slated for completion this year.
The conference featured insights from notable figures, including Ivan Grimes, Director of Services for Planning at Waterford City and County Council; Keith Williams, Capital Projects Manager at South East Technological University (SETU); Brian McGee, Regional Enterprise Development Manager at IDA; James Mernin, Site Lead at Red Hat; Mark Hennessy, VP Operations at Bausch+Lomb; and Noel Frisby, Director at Frisby Construction. Discussions centered on the necessity for cross-sector collaboration to deliver housing that supports both social development and economic growth.
Ivan Grimes highlighted the Council's initiatives to tackle vacancy and dereliction, stating, "Delivery of a range of initiatives such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) and the Affordable Purchase Scheme has long-term benefits." He emphasized that these efforts not only provide new homes but also act as catalysts for the private sector to offer larger homes as families grow and seek to upsize.
The conference underscored the critical need for activating existing development sites and initiating new projects to ensure that Waterford's housing supply meets the needs of its people, businesses, and economy. As the region continues to attract significant public and private investment, the collaborative efforts discussed at the conference aim to address housing shortages and support sustainable growth.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
Engineers Ireland invites you to join the for a free webinar Learning by Accident featuring three presentations on different aspects of Process Safety Design.
Start Date & Time:
19:00 Wednesday, 16 April 2025
End Date & Time:
21:00 Wednesday, 16 April 2025
Location:
Online Event
An overview of a 2025 Calendar of Process Safety Incident Case Studies and its use as a process safety awareness training resource.
A video paints a thousand words .... It is really helpful to use a short CSB training video as a prompt to assess your own hazards and control measures. I'll outline a process that you can use within your own site to ask "could that happen here?", "do we understand our hazards well enough?" and "are our controls good enough / properly maintained"?
This talk seeks to demystify topics such as ‘risk targets’, ‘tolerability’, LOPA, SIL etc. in a short informal presentation. Intended primarily for people not directly involved in Process Safety.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
The demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry has never been higher. Architecture sits at the heart of this built environment boom, blending creativity with technical expertise to shape the spaces where we live, work, and connect. For those with a passion for design, sustainability, and problem-solving, studying architecture is a gateway to a dynamic and rewarding career in construction, and there’s never been a better time to get started.
Architecture is more than designing buildings, it’s about creating environments that are functional, sustainable, and inspiring. Architecture courses equip students with a unique combination of artistic vision and engineering knowledge. From concept development and building technology to structural systems and project management, these programmes prepare graduates to work on real-world projects from the ground up.
Ireland’s education sector offers a wide range of architecture-related courses, from undergraduate degrees in Architecture and Architectural Technology to postgraduate studies in Urban Design, Sustainable Architecture, and Building Information Modelling (BIM). These qualifications are recognised across the EU and beyond, making Irish-trained architects highly sought after both at home and internationally.
Architecture graduates don’t just become architects. Their skill set opens doors across the entire construction and engineering ecosystem. Graduates often find roles in:
Architectural practices – designing buildings and overseeing construction
Construction firms – project management, planning, and site coordination
Engineering consultancies – collaborating with structural, civil, and MEP engineers
Property development – shaping housing, commercial, and public space projects
Government and planning agencies – contributing to infrastructure and urban policy
Sustainability and conservation roles – retrofitting existing structures and promoting green building practices
With large-scale developments and retrofitting initiatives ramping up across Ireland, architecture professionals are playing a crucial role in shaping the nation’s future.
If you're currently studying architecture, recently graduated, or considering a career switch into the built environment, the Construction Jobs Expo is the perfect place to explore your options. This unique event brings together top employers from the construction and engineering sectors, all under one roof. It’s your opportunity to connect with companies hiring for architectural roles, speak to recruitment specialists, and learn how your qualifications and skills align with current industry needs.
You’ll also gain insights into emerging trends in design, technology, and construction—from digital twins and sustainable urban planning to modular construction and smart buildings, many of which are reshaping the role of the modern architect.
Join us at the Construction Jobs Expo to meet the employers building tomorrow’s Ireland—and find your place in the future of architecture and construction.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has released a comprehensive report detailing the financial challenges and opportunities associated with retrofitting commercial office buildings in Ireland. The study, supported by AIB, evaluates seven diverse office retrofit case studies in Dublin, revealing that only three were financially viable without additional value-added elements.
Key Findings:
Potential Rental Income Increase: For the viable projects, retrofitting could boost rental income by 40% to 66%.
Financial Viability Challenges: Four of the seven case studies did not meet the required viability threshold, as retrofit costs exceeded the anticipated increase in property value.
Risk of Obsolescence: The report warns that commercial buildings with low Building Energy Ratings (BER) face a heightened risk of becoming obsolete in the long term.
Recommendations:
The SCSI recommends a review of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) retrofit grants, advocating for a greater focus on insulation and energy consumption reduction. This approach aims to enhance the financial feasibility of retrofitting projects and support Ireland's goal of decarbonizing its building stock by 2050, in line with evolving EU legislation.
Kevin Hollingsworth, SCSI President, emphasized the urgency of transitioning to a sustainable built environment, stating that it is "no longer an aspiration – it is an urgent necessity."
The report serves as a vital resource for property owners, investors, and policymakers, offering data-driven insights into the complexities of retrofitting commercial offices in Ireland.
IRELAND'S CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING SECTORS' UPCOMINGJOBS & RECRUITMENT EVENT RETURNS TO THE RDS IN 2025
DATE
Saturday, 7th June, 2025
LOCATION
Serpentine Hall, RDS, Dublin
EXHIBITORS 20+ Companies
SEMINARS Full Day Of Industry Talks
Looking to pursue a career in the construction industry? Browse through our diverse range of courses below. Whether you're eager to become an Engineer, Estimator or Electrician, there's plenty of study options for the sector on Courses.ie.
