NI construction industry at breaking point

Northern Ireland's construction industry is at breaking point unless an extra 18,000 workers can be found before the end of the decade.

The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) revealed today's figures as it launched a major advertising drive to encourage school leavers to consider a career in building.

At present, an average of 2,990 construction workers are being recruited in the province each year, however this figure needs to rise to 17,940 by 2010 in order to meet current government building plans.

In Northern Ireland projects including two housing developments in Newry and Cookstown, two gas pipelines in Belfast and Derry and a windfarm in Drumquin are under threat because of the shortage.

Commenting on the crisis, Peter Lobban, CEO of CITB-ConstructionSkills said: "There has never been a more challenging or exciting time for the construction industry and young people really can see that potential now.

"But it's not just down to us. If parents want their children to have rewarding careers, if people want their extensions built by skilled workmen, if the government wants hospitals, schools and homes built to schedule and within budget, we have to ensure a fully qualified workforce.

"To do this, we must all reject the idea of paying only the lowest price for a job, which creates a niche for the untrained, unskilled cowboy."

Today sees the launch of Positive Image, the annual image and recruitment campaign for the construction industry. This year sees the first ever TV advertisement running alongside an extensive online, ambient and postcard campaign in a bid to attract the brightest and best industry needs for long-term success. The advertisement uses the "what do you see?" challenge to break the stereotypes people have that the industry is just about bricklaying.

(MB)