Returning to Ireland and working in construction

If you are moving back to Ireland and are unsure about what work opportunities you want to explore, construction is a rapidly growing industry worth considering. Similarly, if you are coming back to Ireland with a background in construction and want to continue working in this sector, there are a range of opportunities.

The sections below cover several topics that will help you if you are a returning construction worker or thinking about construction as a profession when you are back.

Construction is a growing industry in Ireland and covers a range of roles, including:

• Design
• Engineering
• Skilled trades (like being a plumber or electrician)
• General labourers
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) specialist
• Construction management
• Environmental health and safety
• Quantity surveying
• Building services engineer

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) is the national organisation in Ireland that represents construction industry employers (also called ‘contractors’).

Learn more about the kinds of careers available in construction on their website.

Apprenticeships

If you are interested in a construction job, but don’t have training yet, you can do an apprenticeship in an area that interests you. An apprenticeship involves learning on-the-job while having an employment contract and getting paid a salary. There is also off-the-job training in an education centre.

You can learn more about apprenticeships by reading our page.

Read additional information provided by the Construction Industry Federation.

Before you can work on construction sites, you must complete safety awareness training and get a Safe Pass registration card.

This includes apprentices, trainees, and on-site security workers.

Finding a Safe Pass course

SOLAS manages Safe Pass. You can use their database to search for an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) that provides the Safe Pass training near you.

Recognition of equivalent safety training

The Construction Skills Register (CSR) one-day health and safety course in Northern Ireland is the only course recognised by SOLAS as an equivalent to the Safe Pass course.

If you have a CSR Health and Safety card, you can contact rpq@solas.ie about getting your CSR skills recognised.

Read more on our page about Safe Pass.

Certification schemes provide training and assessments that certify that you have the knowledge and skills needed to work in the construction sector.

Construction skills certification scheme (CSCS)

You must complete Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) training if you are carrying out tasks where safety is critical. You also need a Safe Pass card to enrol.

SOLAS-approved organisations deliver the training programmes. They are divided into eight categories, with each category requiring a different CSCS Registration Card.

SOLAS has a database you can use to search for Approved Training Organisations (ATO) that provide the CSCS-required training for whichever tasks you are carrying out in your construction work. The ATO will charge you a fee for participating in a CSCS programme.

When you successfully complete the programme, you will receive a CSCS Registration Card. CSCS Registration Cards last for for 5 years. After that, you will need to renew your card online.

Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS)

The Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) programmes are for non-craft operatives in the quarrying sector and are divided into three categories, and each requires a different QSCS registration card. You do not need a Safe Pass card to enrol.

You can use the SOLAS database to search for Approved Training Organisations (ATO) that provide the QSCS-required training for activities you will do in your job. The ATO will charge you a fee for participating in a CSCS programme.

QSCS Experienced Operator Registration Cards last for 5 years. After that, you can renew your card online.

What if I have qualifications, but they are from outside the European Union?

You can apply to have your qualifications from outside the European Union recognised in Ireland. To do this, you need:

• A detailed CV (including references from previous employers confirming your work experience)
• A copy of your valid operator’s card or licence
• Any associated certifications you have

You can email these documents to SOLAS for review at rpq@solas.ie.

Trade unions represent and protect the rights and interests of their members. There are several trade unions in the Irish construction industry, and you have a constitutional right to join one. All of these unions must have a negotiating licence to negotiate employee wages and other conditions of employment.

The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) is the umbrella organisation for trade unions, representing a range of interests of ICTU members, both in Ireland and Northern Ireland. ICTU has information if you want to join a union.

Your wages

There are rules that set minimum pay rates for certain workers in the construction sector, including apprentices. The rules are known as the ‘Sectoral Employment Order’ (SEO).

The SEO for the construction sector also sets out other conditions like sick pay and pension entitlements. In addition, it defines the experience and qualifications that place you in a particular employment category.

You can read more about the SEO for the construction sector on the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) website.

Pensions in construction

If you work in construction, there are pension schemes available. The Construction Workers' Pension Scheme (CWPS) is one of the largest. If you are registered with the CWPS, then you are automatically enroled in the Construction Workers’ Sick Pay Trust (CWSPT).

Read more about annual contribution rates from CWPS (pdf).

The CWPS also has information about how you can make a claim for sick pay under the CWSPT.

Auto-enrolment

An auto-enrolment pension savings scheme is expected to be introduced in 2025. Your employer may enrol you in this scheme if they don’t have another one in place.

You can watch the Department of Social Protection’s video on auto-enrolment or visit the auto-enrolment information hub.

You can also read frequently asked questions about auto-enrolment.

You can visit the SOLAS website for more information about Safe Pass, construction skills programmes, and quarrying skills programmes.

If you have questions, you can email them at csuinfo@solas.ie.