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Ireland hit by construction worker exodous

Friday 16th July 2010

Almost a third (29%) of construction professionals based in Ireland have emigrated to find work over the past three years, according to a survey by Hays.

"Unfortunately we are seeing a migration of our construction professionals again, skilled people forced to look elsewhere due to the lack of opportunities in the State," said Paul O’Donnell, Senior Operations Manager for Hays Construction & Property.

"Some 42% of the respondents have left Ireland without their families, a circumstance which makes this transition abroad even more difficult but leaves us hopeful that they will return when work picks up."

The survey revealed that 21% left for the UK, 23% for another European country, 15% for Australasia and 13% for the Middle East.

More than half (51%) of those who have moved away from Ireland said that they believed the quality of life was better where they now resided.

When asked about the revival of the industry, seven in 10 were not confident the Irish construction industry would recover in the next three years.

The research also shows that 72% of architects, engineers and construction management professionals still living in Ireland plan to move in the next three years if there are no signs of improvement.

O’Donnell said: "From conversations with our customers many people believe recovery could take between five and ten years and that to achieve even this modest ambition, Government investment will need to play a leading role. Unfortunately, the negative outlook and lack of current opportunities may lead to a drain of skills away from Ireland.

"Although we’d much rather see these professionals remain in Ireland, our network of offices across the globe has allowed us to help these jobseekers migrate to the Middle East and Africa in recent times. There are a number of countries which are continuing to invest in their infrastructure and are looking for the types of skills many Irish construction workers have in abundance."

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