A new survey reveals that skills shortages, coupled with the high cost of recruiting skilled labor, are the primary concerns for tradespeople across Ireland. The Onlinetradesmen.ie survey, which included responses from builders, plumbers, electricians, and landscapers, found that 29% of participants identified these challenges as the biggest obstacles to their operations and growth.
Ted Laverty, CEO of Onlinetradesmen.ie, noted that the issue is compounded by an imbalance between supply and demand in sectors such as home improvements and construction. “The problem is that skilled workers are available, but hiring them is very expensive,” Laverty said. “There’s a well-known supply and demand issue, so it’s no surprise that this is the top concern.”
The survey’s findings come amidst efforts to address the skills gap in the construction industry. Last year, over 8,700 new apprentices were registered, marking a significant increase compared to previous years. The number of apprenticeship programs has also expanded. However, Laverty expressed uncertainty over how much this will alleviate the sector’s current skills shortage, noting that apprenticeships in non-construction fields, such as accounting, may skew the statistics.
“We’ve come off a very low base in terms of construction apprenticeships,” Laverty explained. “It takes at least four years for apprentices to become fully qualified, so it will be some time before these new apprentices contribute to solving the problem.”
While acknowledging the efforts to boost apprenticeships, Laverty suggested that changes could be made to the apprenticeship model to speed up the process and allow apprentices to contribute more quickly. He also highlighted that the relatively low pay during the early stages of apprenticeships could deter potential recruits.
In light of Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis, the government has faced pressure to ramp up the construction of new homes. However, Laverty questioned whether the industry has the capacity to meet these ambitious goals. “We’re currently building just over 30,000 homes per year, but with 30% of tradespeople citing skills shortages, it’s hard to see how we can increase that number to 35,000 or 40,000 units,” he said, adding that the industry’s ability to scale up remains uncertain.
In addition to skills shortages, 21% of respondents cited rising material and tool costs as a major concern, while 18% identified the administrative and compliance burdens as challenges that hinder their work.
As the construction sector grapples with these issues, it remains clear that addressing the skills gap will be key to sustaining growth and meeting the country’s housing needs.
