Senior cycle students and schools have just over one month to enter the CIF Build the Future – Schools Challenge,’ which can be entered via www.cif.ie/cifchallenge. The deadline for entries is 31 January 2022.

The Construction Industry Federation (CIF) in association with Sherry FitzGerald has opened this competition (in its second year), which is aimed at Transition Year students. The competition 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.

This competition is designed to address the growing skill shortage identified by CIF, from the Expert Group from the National Skills Council. Their recent report shows that there is an alarming shortage of skills within the construction sector.

To achieve an annual average of 33,000 over the decade, housing completions would need to ramp up from the current annual output of approximately 20,000 in 2020, to 33,000 by 2025, before peaking at around 40,000 at the end of the decade. This will require an additional 27,500 additional workers across all levels from architects, plumbers, electricians to carpenters and joiners.

The competition will run until January 31st with judging taking place until mid-March.

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 complement current teaching and career guidance principles.