CIF launch cifjobs.ie targeting the Diaspora to fill available and emerging jobs

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) has launched a new website www.cifjobs.ie featuring career opportunities as the construction industry is set to grow by 9% annually up to 2020. Irish building spoke to Shane Dempsey, CIF Director of Communications and Tom Parlon, CIF Director General, about the website.

A report commissioned by the CIF, (Demand for Skills in Construction to 2020) and carried out by DKM economic consultants, states that construction activity can sustain an additional 112,000 jobs up to 2020 with an estimated €17.8billion worth of projects in the pipeline in 2017. The report identified the demand for the different professions and trades within the construction industry for the next three years. It found that the Irish industry will require up to 2020 in the region of:

  • 15,200 electricians
  • 7,800 bricklayers
  • 11,800 plumbers
  • 30,800 carpenters and joiners
  • 13,900 plasters/Floor and tilers
  • 9,400 painters and decorators
  • 9,600 managers
  • 18,100 operatives
  • 27,600 general labourers

Irish building spoke to Shane Dempsey about Cifjobs.ie. Shane told us what the website will offer the construction industry and the Irish construction Diaspora. “Cifjobs.ie is a resource for those in the Diaspora with construction experience looking to return to Ireland to build a career. Ireland’s population is the youngest and fastest growing in the EU. The Irish economy is one of the fastest growing in the EU. People need houses. Communities need hospitals, schools and amenities. Economies require motorways, airports, water infrastructure and rail. Companies like Google, Facebook and LinkedIn all require specialist buildings. The Irish Construction Industry has to deliver and to do so it probably requires around 100,000 additional employees up to 2020. So this website is designed to connect those in the Diaspora thinking of returning to Ireland with Ireland’s leading construction companies looking for skilled employees.”

Shane told us how the resource can be used. “CIFjobs.ie is a simple concept. CIF members can post jobs and jobseekers can apply for those jobs. All a jobseeker needs to do is fill in a short application form. Initially, the service will be free to CIF members.”

We asked if there will be a charge for delegates as well as employers. Shane said, “There will be no charge to the delegates and it’s initially free for CIF Members. We’re seeking to encourage members to post as many jobs as possible to give the site gravity when we promote it amongst the Diaspora.”

The CIF is partnering with a number of organisations such as DKM consultants, Hays Recruitment Ireland, ICDS Recruitment, Back4Good.ie and the CIF’s Pension Administration Services to inform Irish emigrants of the opportunities in Ireland.

cifjobs-ieCIF Director General Tom Parlon stated: “The CIF is currently partnering with a number of organisations and media to attract those in the Diaspora with construction experience back home. There is an estimated €19billion in construction projects in the pipeline at all stages of progress and the industry is anticipated to grow to nearly €20billion annual output by 2020. In other words, there will be a large amount of work for the foreseeable future so we believe there are sustainable careers in construction. We’re encouraging our members to post jobs on our site www.cifjobs.ie and we’re promoting those opportunities to people at home and abroad.”

The December Issue of Irish building magazine has a strong focus on Construction Skills with a full feature on The DKM Report: Demand for Skills in Construction to 2020. In this feature you can read our full interviews with the CIF’s Tom Parlon, Shane Dempsey and Dermot Carey.