Young People called on to Build The Future for Everyone as the CIF Launches its Second National Schools Competition
- In its second year, The Construction Industry Federation (CIF), now in partnership with Sherry FitzGerald will challenge classrooms across Ireland to design a sustainable housing development that will help Ireland reach its sustainability targets.
- Autodesk (and their partners Diatec) to offer students free design software and a collaborative digital work environment to help classrooms work together.
- The programme will be supported by the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI), TechnoTeachers Association Ireland, the Engineering Technology Teachers Association and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors.
- The winning team will present their designs at the Ireland Skills Live Event in the RDS along with a day’s “Construction Experience” provided by Technical University Dublin and a TOPCON Complete construction package of laser equipment and instruction.
- To enter the CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge competition, visit www.cif.ie/cifchallenge before March 1st 2022.
Dublin, October 20th 2021: The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in association with Sherry FitzGerald is launching a national competition for senior cycle students called ‘CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge,’ which can be entered via www.cif.ie/cifchallenge.
Aimed at Transition Year students, it is a team-based project where students work together to design a residential housing development help address sustainability, climate change, solve the housing crisis and showcase innovation in construction. The submitted designs will need to be eco-friendly, affordable.
The competition will run until March 1st 2022 with judging taking place until mid-March.
- The winning team will present their designs at the Ireland Skills Live Event in the RDS. In addition, they will receive a day’s “Construction Experience” provided by Technical University Dublin and a TOPCON Complete construction package to include most up to date laser equipment and ½ day instruction, as well as a prize for each of team members.
- The second team selected will also present their design at Ireland Skills Live Event in RDS in March 2022 and a TOPCON Construction package to include the latest equipment plus a half day’s instruction with individual prizes for each team member.
- The third team selected will also present their design at Ireland Skills Live Event in RDS in March 2022 and receive TOPCON measuring equipment, along a prize for each team member.
All entries and team members will receive a certificate of merit in recognition of their work.
Competition designed with education leaders
This programme was developed by the CIF in collaboration with TUI, the Techno Teachers Association Ireland, the Engineering Technology Teachers Association and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. This programme is designed to compliment current teaching and career guidance principles.
CIF’s Director General, Tom Parlon stated, “As we look forward to life after the pandemic, we have seen how robust a career in construction is, we have been able to operate throughout most of the difficult covid-19 period. But beyond this, our workers can now see the potential to travel internationally, and work in this sector in a multitude of ways as part of diverse, multi-disciplinary team. There’s a clear career path from building site to boardroom for those who want it. We saw how last year’s competition celebrated the creativity and purpose that’s sometimes taken for granted in the construction industry. We’re marrying young people’s concerns about homelessness, climate change and inclusivity with construction to demonstrate that a career can make a difference and have a real purpose.”
Quote from Minister “As a Government we believe everybody should have access to good-quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price, built to a high standard and in the right place offering a high quality of life. To achieve our ambitions Ireland needs a competitive, dynamic, and sustainable construction sector that can deliver high quality housing and other infrastructural needs for our citizens. This magnificent competition gives students an opportunity to explore the creative, challenging and satisfying construction building sector and it will no doubt spark the imagination of some to begin a career in this industry. I was seriously impressed by last year’s entries and finalists and I want to wish all the students participating this year the very best of luck,” he concluded.
Quote from Sherry FitzGerald
Mark FitzGerald, Chairman, Sherry FitzGerald encouraged the students to be creative in their approach as “Every generation in Ireland will benefit from your creativity and your ideas” He said “We need to build a better and more sustainable society through the built environment. We’ve got many of the big things right in Ireland, but we’ve under-estimated the challenge of getting the built environment right. It is the biggest challenge of the 21st century. You don’t just need accommodation, you need really interesting jobs and careers. This is your country, this is your society. We owe it to your generation to give you the opportunity to make a difference.”
ENDS
For further information, please contact either cyril.moloney@teneo.com
About the CIF
The CIF is the Irish construction industry’s representative body. It provides a broad range of services that assist members in navigating the political, business, economic and regulatory environment.
These services cross the full business spectrum and include Recruitment and Training, Legal and Industrial Relations Consultation and Advice; Health & Safety; Marketing and Industrial intelligence Reports; Engagement with Government, Statutory and other industry bodies, and regular updates on all issues affecting the construction industry.
All services are provided on a national and regional basis from offices in Dublin Cork and Galway.
