The construction industry is facing mounting pressure to recruit and retain skilled workers, as a new report reveals that more than one in four difficult-to-fill vacancies in Ireland are in the construction sector.
The latest Recruitment Agency Survey, conducted in November 2024 by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) at SOLAS, shows that 28% of all reported hiring challenges are concentrated in construction, highlighting the ongoing talent crunch in the industry.
Recruitment agencies flagged a wide array of roles that are proving particularly hard to fill, including:
Project and site managers
Engineers (civil, site, structural, mechanical, electrical, EHS)
Quantity surveyors and planners
BIM specialists
Maintenance and quality technicians
Procurement and site administration staff
Skilled trades are also under severe pressure, with a shortage of:
Electricians and carpenters (including shuttering specialists)
Steel fixers, scaffolders, and welders
Pipe layers, ground workers, and curtain wallers
Foremen, supervisors, bricklayers, and glaziers
Recruitment professionals report that the situation is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for mid-career professionals and tradespeople.
The report links labour shortages in construction not only to the sector's continued growth but also to wider socio-economic issues. A persistent housing shortage is now affecting the workforce itself.
Recruitment agencies say some construction employers are adjusting expectations, with many now hiring for potential rather than long experience. According to the survey, 59% of hard-to-fill roles are open to candidates with three years or less experience, and only 22% require five years or more, typically for senior or managerial roles.
This shift reflects the urgency in plugging gaps on sites across the country.
To stay competitive, many employers are increasing salaries, particularly for roles tied to long-term national infrastructure projects and private development. 64% of construction-related difficult-to-fill vacancies had some level of salary increase attached, according to the survey.
However, agencies caution that salary alone is not resolving the problem. Remote and hybrid options, though limited in construction, are increasingly expected by jobseekers in administrative and planning roles.
As sustainability targets tighten, recruiters also point to a growing demand for “green” construction skills. Roles linked to environmental health and safety (EHS), energy efficiency, and sustainability are now part of the broader talent strategy on many sites.
Additionally, digital readiness, especially in BIM, planning, and procurement, has become essential, further increasing pressure on employers to upskill existing staff or find digitally fluent new hires.
