Construction was one of the last industries to shut down on the lead up to the countries lockdown and we hope it will be the first one to reopen in the coming weeks.
What went on during the time of lockdown and what lessons have we learnt, what things can we implement going forward?
Luckily for many of my candidates, it has been business as usual throughout this pandemic. A lot of these candidates either worked on the design side of the business or were working on a project with the HSE or Telecom companies where work was deemed essential.
Some construction workers I called throughout the pandemic were lucky enough to still be ‘working from home’ In the construction industry which is a great advantage.
So what jobs are lucky enough to have been able to work from home?
CAD Technicians/ Revit
Electrical Design Engineers
Structural Design Engineers
Mechanical Design Engineers
Construction sectors that have remained open:
Utilities
Water Treatment
Telecoms
Energy
Construction Jobs – COVID 19 Opportunities
Below are some of the clients I am working with and the types of roles that we are actively recruiting for during COVID-19.
I have been working closely with Mainline Group during the Lockdown period. Mainline Group is a leading utility solutions provider servicing the Power, Water, Telecom & Energy sectors, operating in Ireland, the UK, and Scandinavia.
They provide a diverse range of services from the Design & Build of Sub-stations, to construction of Airside Aviation Infrastructure, to Turn-key Wind & Solar Energy Solutions and are deemed as an essential service. Mainline Group are still looking for candidates to join their growing team. We are currently looking for:
A Senior Business Development Manager with estimating/ Bid Prep experience in the electrical (MV/HV) Sector
Junior QS candidates from an electrical basis and a Project QS Manager
EDC Engineers is another client that is actively looking for candidates right now based in Blackpool, Cork. EDC is a truly progressive consulting engineering firm delivering quality, innovative engineering solutions for its clients.
Leaders in BIM technology, they employ a unique, direct client collaboration approach that allows them to develop more efficient, transparent processes and designs, which ultimately delivers outstanding work for their clients.
They are currently looking for a Senior Electrical Design Engineer (ideally with 7-9 years building services consultancy design experience.) If you’re an expert user of Amtech, Relux/ Dialux and having BIM experience you’d be excellent for this role.
Another Client I have been working closely with is Merck Millipore based in Carrigtwohill, Merck Merck Millipore, Cork.
Merck’s research, development and manufacturing facility at Carrigtwohill in County Cork makes products for the research, development and manufacture of biotechnological and pharmaceutical drug therapies, as well as for the food and drink industry.
They are currently looking for a Tool Maker to join their team for an immediate start.
I am also looking for the below candidates for other projects throughout Cork to work on Residential projects for the social housing scheme which is also deemed an essential service during this time with social distancing and relevant policies adhered to.
Site Foreman
Site Manager
Site Engineer
Project Managers
Structural Design Engineers
Cad Techs / Revit Technicians
Upskilling and what’s next for Construction in Ireland
Whether operating or not, companies within the Construction industry have tried to keep everyone engaged.
The CIF has organised many online training courses for workers within the Construction sector, ie The “CIF City & Guilds Site Managers a Practical Approach to Building Regulations” course will provide delegates with tools to apply their learnings in a practical application to “real world” scenarios.
The construction sector should be able to gradually reopen in the first phase of the economy getting restarted, but new measures to combat COVID-19 will inevitably increase costs and slow projects, according to the Construction Industry Federation (CIF).
CIF director general Tom Parlon says he is “very hopeful” that the construction sector can gradually reopen in the months ahead, subject to national decisions based on public health advice.
The federation has drawn up a new operating procedure for the sector after wide consultation, which is to provide guidelines for sites, including on physical distancing at work and also when travelling to work.
In some cases, this may involve an early and a late shift working on projects, Mr Parlon told The Irish Times, so that fewer people are on-site and social distancing is possible.
Proper sanitation facilities will also have to be provided and building sites will have a Covid-19 inspector.
No one knows if we are facing into another recession, but one thing is for sure the country has been finding ways to stay connected and be resourceful when it comes to working and getting the job done. Construction workers are innately innovative and we’ll adapt and get through this time.
When this is all over and things resume to some bit of normality. What will you do differently? Do you feel that a career change or upskilling would be of benefit?
If you’re interested in learning more please get in touch, or for a look at some of the opportunities available throughout COVID-19 click on the link HERE.