London co-living sector shows signs of maturity as applications accelerate

06/02/2026

The London co-living sector has entered a more established phase, with a sharp increase in planning applications and greater consistency in how schemes are being brought forward, according to new analysis.

The analysis, by national planning and development consultancy Lichfields, follows its November 2024 research and examines all major co-living planning applications submitted in London since mid-2024. It finds that 26 schemes, totalling more than 10,000 co-living homes, have been submitted, representing more than 40% of all co-living applications in the capital since 2018.

More than 75% of London boroughs have now seen at least one co-living application, up from around half in mid-2024. Average scheme size has increased from 295 units to 385, reflecting the submission of several large developments. Co-living is also being incorporated into major regeneration masterplans including Barking Riverside, Edgware Town Centre and Earl’s Court.

Commenting on the analysis, Adam Donovan, Planning Director at Lichfields, said: “Over the past 18 months there has been a marked increase in the number of co-living applications, alongside greater consistency in how schemes are designed and assessed. Early schemes often raised fundamental questions about policy fit and acceptability. Now there is a greater understanding of the sector and more consistency in applications in terms of the form of development and approach to addressing policy. This has reduced uncertainty and allowed decision-making to focus on quality, management and long-term operation.”

Recent schemes also show greater alignment with London Plan Guidance. Average internal communal space per unit has reduced slightly, reflecting the adoption of the London Plan Guidance’s tiered approach and a move away from rigid quantitative requirements towards qualitative design assessment.

Approaches to affordable housing vary across London. Of the schemes submitted since mid-2024 there is an even split between those providing on-site affordable housing in the form of conventional C3 homes or discount market rent and those providing a payment in lieu, although viability remains a key constraint.

Donovan said the inclusion of co-living within large regeneration masterplans was a further indicator of growing confidence in the sector.

He added: “The fact that co-living is now being incorporated into major London masterplans alongside conventional housing points to a clearer understanding of the role it can play within mixed and balanced communities. While it remains a relatively small part of overall housing supply, it has established a more predictable footing within the planning system.”

Sirius Buying Group welcomes RNW

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05/02/2026

Sirius Buying Group, major buying group of electrical appliances and kitchen retail solutions, is thrilled to welcome RNW, as the latest Approved Supplier to join the group.

Formed in 1970 by Jim Hughes, Refrigeration Norwest (RNW) began trading from a small building nestled on an industrial estate near Chester.

Fast-forward to today, and RNW still remains focused on the customer, but its size and scale has dramatically increased. Now delivering nationwide, the company holds circa £4 million worth of stock in its 100,000 sqft warehousing from market leading brands such as Candy, Haier and Hoover plus the premium OEM brand that everyone is talking about, Teknix, which has been designed and refined by the current MD and his team over the past ten years.

Paul Hughes MD says, “Even with the rapid expansion of the Teknix brand we have remained the same. As well as being a distribution company with its own brand, we still have retail stores, which means we understand the day-to-day joys and difficulties retailing brings. All of that experience and knowledge is poured into the Teknix brand. We pride ourselves on offering a first rate service and delivering premium products at the right price. By partnering with the Sirius Buying Group, we’re able to continue creating new opportunities to grow our supply network and ultimately pass on the latest deals and exclusive product lines like our all new Teknix 3 Series range. Customers can set up an online trade account to access RNW promotions, handle returns and streamline purchasing or call our deidicated trade office headed up by Paul Skinner who has over 30 years of experience at the heart of RNW. Please feel free to visit anytime to meet the team, bring an empty van. We also have Simeon Green and Mark Winfiled out in the field who are themselves legends in the industry.”

Paul is also proud to welcome his son James, already making a difference after 18 months, into the business who will carry the torch forward into its third generation.

Marion Morton, Commercial Director at Sirius Buying Group says, “We are delighted to welcome Refrigeration Norwest (Chester) to the group as we continue to strengthen our Approved Supplier portfolio for the benefits of Sirius Members. We believe we offer the strongest and most comprehensive range proposition for our Members, with a carefully curated selection of Approved Suppliers like RNW that deliver exceptional products, value, and support. In today’s competitive and fast-evolving market, the ability to regularly present these opportunities to our Members is more important than ever.”

The addition of RNW continues to support Sirius Buying Group’s mission to provide its Members with the right level of support and product choice included within the Teknix brand. RNW joins the strong network of Sirius Approved Suppliers which includes some of the world’s leading MDA, SDA and Kitchen brands.

If you’re interested in expanding your business, please contact Sirius Buying Group:

t 0330 133 8336, e siriusoffice@siriusbuyinggroup.co.uk, w siriusbuyinggroup.co.uk

ELECTRIC DISPLAY FROM JCB 3CX PRO IN NORTHERN IRELAND

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05/02/2026

A leading plant hirer has bought one of the first JCB 3CX PRO DualDrive backhoe loaders in Northern Ireland.

Purchased by County Down-based P. Smyth Digger Hire, the brand new JCB 3CX PRO has been put straight to work pole planting for electricity cables on behalf of Northern Ireland Electricity Networks (NIE Networks) outside the village of Moira.

Supplied by dealer Dennison JCB, the new 3CX PRO model features DualDrive – JCB’s latest backhoe innovation which allows the operator to drive and reposition the machine while facing the excavator. It is proving highly beneficial for pole planting operations as well as highways work where the backhoe is now able to operate even more efficiently within in a single lane.

P. Smyth Digger Hire Owner Operator, Ricky Smyth, said: “We do a lot of work with NIE Networks and the JCB DualDrive feature is perfect for our work. We are able to move forwards and backwards from pole to pole without having to twist and turn. This means we’re not wasting time and we’re not blocking the roads as just the single lane closure is required, which minimises disruption to the public.

“We’re very impressed with it. It’s fast on the road which is fantastic too. We do lots of miles – some days nearly a 100-mile round trip – so it makes a huge difference. In this line of work we can’t afford downtime so the service and support we get from our dealer Dennison JCB is excellent.”

The new 3CX PRO model boasts a number of further developments, including a single loader lever to reduce operator effort, revised direction control for quicker and easier use, a return-to-grade function for improved performance, upgraded quickhitch with wider fork carriage and de-bog feature offering simultaneous control of excavator and loader controls.

Newly expanded, BREAAM Excellent Burlington Junior School opens to students

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05/02/2026

The expansion of Burlington Junior School in New Maldon, funded by The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, has opened. Designed by TPM Studio and built by Morgan Sindall Construction, the scheme has delivered major upgrades that have increased the school’s capacity from 480 to 600 pupils and provided new, high-end educational facilities.

Burlington School is located on a constrained site with limited access. It comprises an infant school and junior school within the site, with the main works focussed on the junior school. This was largely because the junior school’s largest existing classroom block had reached the end of its design life. It has now been replaced by a new, three-storey, 2,800 sq m building comprising classrooms and other teaching, learning, administrative spaces and a Sports Hall with associated facilities. The design has been described by the local authority as “sympathetic, well-articulated, high quality and visually attractive”.

The project also included the refurbishment of the Victorian building, including additional rooms to enable the school to provide a fifth form of entry, two new Multi-Use Games Areas (MUGAs), including one for the Infant School, a new car park and landscaping, and the refurbishment and enlargement of the Infant School’s toilets. Sustainable materials and servicing were key to the construction, and Morgan Sindall also installed 72 photovoltaic (PV) panels across the site to support the project’s aims of achieving an Excellent BREEAM score.

Glen Moorley, Director at TPM Studio, said: “The new school provides modern and sustainable new facilities for the existing and future pupils of Burlington School. The design was shaped through extensive user and stakeholder engagement as well as a rigorous period of review of the multiple opportunities and constraints presented by the site. The end result is an exceptional new school building as well as enhanced facilities that will not just facilitate high educational attainment but also meet the increased demand for school places in the borough.”

Cllr Diane White, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, said: “Supporting children and young people to have the best possible start in life is a top priority for us at Kingston Council, and providing excellent facilities for that to take place is very important. This is an exciting time for the school and I hope that students and staff alike flourish in their new spaces.”

Richard Dobson, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in London, said:“It’s been a real privilege to work alongside the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, the Burlington Junior School team, and of course the wider Burlington community on this project. Creating a modern learning environment while the school remained open was a shared effort, and the cooperation of staff, pupils, and parents was key to its success.

“We’re beyond delighted to be able to celebrate such a bright, sustainable, and inspiring space that will benefit current pupils and future generations for many more years to come.”

The project was procured through the Southern Construction Framework (SCF). Planning Permission for the scheme was granted in February 2022, with construction works starting in late 2023 and completion in Q3 of 2025. The other project team members included Shockledge as structural engineer and Boon Brown as landscape architects.

Construction workloads in Northern Ireland lag behind rest of UK as surveyors appear cautious on the outlook for 2026

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05/02/2026

RICS Construction Monitor Q4 2025 – Northern Ireland

Overall construction workloads fell through the final quarter of 2025
Surveyors cautious on the outlook with profit margins expected to fall through 2026
The outlook for workloads appears subdued with a flat picture expected for the next year
Skills shortages worsened through the final stages of the year

Construction workloads in NI continued to decline through the final quarter of 2025 and at a fast rate than in other UK regions according to the latest Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Construction Monitor.

Overall, a net balance of -16% of NI respondents reported a fall in construction workloads in Q4, which is the lowest balance seen across the UK regions, and below the UK average which sits at -6%.

Looking at the subsectors, all of them saw a decline in activity in the quarter. Net balances of -25% and -14% of respondents reported falls in public and private housebuilding activity respectively, a net balance of -9% of respondents reported a decline in private commercial activity, a net balance of -23% noted a fall in private industrial activity and when it came to other public works, a net balance of -16% of respondents indicated that this had fallen.

When it comes to infrastructure activity, a net balance of -27% of NI respondents noted a fall, and although firmly negative, is up from the -42% seen in Q3.

With workloads falling, NI surveyors are hesitant about the outlook. Respondents in NI expect that workloads will be broadly flat over the next year (a net balance of 2%), although this is an improvement from the -5% seen in the survey previous.

Surveyors in NI also expect profit margins to worsen over the next year with a net balance of -28% of respondents anticipating profit margins to fall during 2026, which is the lowest this balance has been in over two years.

Surveyors in NI also report that skills shortages have worsened. 57% of surveyors report a shortage of bricklayers, up from the 44% seen in the Q3 report and 54% report a shortage of quantity surveyors, up from the 48% that was noted in the survey previous. The shortage of other construction professionals seems to have remained the same quarter on quarter with 48% of NI respondents reporting shortages in Q4, the same balance which was seen in Q3

Jim Sammon, RICS NI Construction Spokesman, said: “The construction sector in Northern Ireland rounded off the year in some very challenging market conditions, and it’s expected that this will continue into the new year. Construction activity overall in NI continues to face a downturn across all subsectors, and it’s of particular concern to see the decline in public sector activity given the vital role it plays to the industry. We need to see appropriate public sector investment both to improve our infrastructure and support economic growth.

“RICS has also called for more investment in retrofitting our housing stock. The Warm Homes Plan will provide funding to deliver energy efficiency and home upgrades in England. Money will come to the NI Executive through the Barnet Formula as a result of this, though it won’t be ringfenced for the same purpose here. We would urge the NI Executive to use this money to invest in improving the sustainability of our housing stock. Every pound invested in insulation, heat pumps, solar panels and batteries helps lower energy bills and creates employment opportunities which are rooted in our local communities and in turn support the economy.”

Leading Construction M&A Expert Calls on Government to Urgently Fix Building Safety Approval Process as Insolvencies Surge

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05/02/2026

A leading UK construction expert has called on the Government to urgently reassess the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approval process, warning that delays in the current system are “slowly killing the economy”, triggering thousands of job losses and forcing long-established construction businesses into bankruptcy.

Bradley Lay is a leading mergers and acquisitions specialist in the UK construction sector, known for his results-driven approach to buying, scaling and exiting businesses.

He is the co-founder of Peak Capital Group and principal of a UK-based family office, through which he oversees strategic acquisitions across the UK and European construction markets.

As a prominent investor and advisor in the UK construction sector, Bradley says the Gateway approval process introduced following the Grenfell tragedy is having severe unintended consequences across the industry, with projects stalled for months and firms unable to generate income to support overheads.

“The UK construction sector has been in distress for the last few years, here is one of the biggest reasons that most in the sector may not even be aware of, which is slowly killing our economy, causing job losses and even forcing long established construction sector businesses to go bankrupt,” said Bradley.

He added: “BSR (the Building Safety Regulator) and the ‘Gateway’ process is basically a new system put in place following the Grenfell tragedy, in order to ensure that large buildings with people living in them have the relevant fire safety in place, to avoid a repeat of Grenfell. There are three design Gateways that buildings need to pass through prior to construction. It has been Gateway 2 which has caused so much of the pain that we are seeing in the sector.

“Gateway 2 decisions were meant to be between 12–8 weeks as explained by the BSR, but the reality is that we have seen this to be as high as 48 weeks in some cases, due to submissions getting marked invalid, requirements feeling inconsistent across cases and the regulator fighting capacity, process maturity and rework loops. In a nutshell, the knock on effect of this is that nothing gets built. So how can a business support its overheads if it has no income being generated to cover this?

“The answer is of course a business cannot, which has been a significant contributor to the 3,950 or so construction sector insolvencies in England and Wales in the 12 months to November 2025. Fire safety is certainly a serious issue and no corners should be cut in ensuring buildings have the correct measures in place, but like all policies and measures implemented under this current government, the execution has been not been thought out properly and action has not been taken as soon as it was identified that construction is being put on pause following new red tape.

“And then the government wonder why they are not getting anywhere near to hitting their self imposed target of building 1.5m new homes.”

Bradley believes the solution is practical rather than political and can be implemented without compromising safety standards.

He said: “I believe the solution to be quite straight forward and one that will ensure the sector continues to keep moving forward with building activity. I’d keep the safety measures and checks in place, but simply fix the approval machine:

“Start any submission with a readiness check which will identify any invalidations before submission. Publish a crystal clear national standard of what good looks like. Fast lane for repeatable low-complexity designs. Default ‘approval with requirements’ where risk allows, so that sites can start laying foundations while controlled details on areas of concern are closed out

“At a time where inflation is up, resulting in higher material and labour costs, and given so much global uncertainty, the construction sector has a tough enough time as it is, without the added cost pressures of red tape processes which can be made more time efficient with some tweaking to the process.”

About Bradley Lay

Bradley began his career in corporate finance, developing deep expertise in capital markets, deal structuring and financial strategy, before moving into the construction sector as Group CFO of a £12 million revenue business. During his tenure, he played a central role in scaling the company to more than £150 million in annual revenue, implementing robust financial systems, leadership structures and operational discipline. The business successfully exited in 2022.

Following that exit, Bradley has worked with more than 100 construction business owners as a mentor, advisor and investor, helping founders unlock the full value of what they have built through clean, 100% exits that prioritise certainty, speed and integrity. He is now an international speaker on construction M&A and leads a community of over 100 active investors executing acquisition strategies across the sector.

Through Peak Capital Group, Bradley acquires 100% of construction and associated trade businesses, typically targeting companies with revenues of £10m+, EBITDA of £1m+ and strong reputations, offering owner-led businesses a clear, professional and decisive exit route.

ROBUST UK INTRODUCES CORROSION-RESISTANT STEEL GATE SOLUTION

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05/02/2026

Robust, a leading UK manufacturer of steel door solutions, has released OUTA-GATE, a new corrosion-resistant steel gate designed to deliver long term durability, security and aesthetic appeal across a wide range of applications in the commercial and residential sector.

Manufactured from Magnelis? steel, OUTA-GATE offers significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to standard galvanised products. This enhanced protection ensures outstanding performance in exposed environments, reducing maintenance requirements and extending the product’s lifespan.

As a result, OUTA-GATE is supplied with an anti-corrosion warranty of up to 10 years, providing confidence and reassurance for specifiers, contractors and end users.

The low maintenance properties of OUTA-GATE make it particularly well suited to applications where ongoing upkeep must be kept to a minimum, including student accommodation, social housing, rented properties and residential gated communities. Unlike timber alternatives, OUTA-GATE will not warp, rot or require frequent repainting, ensuring a consistent appearance over time.

Developed as a practical and stylish alternative to traditional timber or standard metal gates, OUTA-GATE is suitable for front and rear garden paths, entrances, driveways and controlled access points. The gate features a choice of vertical or horizontal panelling effects on both sides of the leaf, providing a clean and modern appearance.

OUTA-GATE is available off-the-shelf in a range of standard sizes, with widths of 900mm or 1000mm and heights of 1200mm, 1600mm or 2100mm. For customers that require gates up to 1200mm high, OUTA-GATE is supplied with a gate latch as standard, whilst gates over 1200mm include a mortice lock for enhanced security. Double gate options are also available for wider access requirements.

OUTA-GATE is finished in a durable polyester coating and is available in a selection of the most popular colours; Traffic White, Jet Black, Anthracite Grey and Moorland Green. For those seeking a more distinctive look, woodgrain effect finishes and non-standard colours can also be specified alongside a choice of matt black or stainless steel hardware.

With its combination of corrosion-resistance, security and low maintenance, OUTA-GATE provides a long-lasting gate solution for projects requiring reliable performance without compromising on style.

Paul Williams, Commercial Director at Robust UK, explains: “This is the first time we have introduced an off-the-shelf steel gate solution, after recognising increased demand in the market for ready-made solutions. OUTA-GATE provides customers with a low-maintenance security solution to protect premises and people. This alternative to traditional timber gates delivers enhanced corrosion resistance and long-term durability for both commercial and residential environments.”

For more information about OUTA-GATE and other steel door solutions from Robust, visit https://www.robust-uk.com/product/outa-gate/ or contact Robust at sales@robust-uk.com or call 01782 592900.

What New Building, Tax, Qualification & Employment Rules Mean for the Trade in 2026

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05/02/2026

People working in the construction industry will need to be aware of a few new rules which are being introduced throughout 2026. These changes may affect how they carry out their jobs, as well as how they run their business if they have their own firm complete with employees.

Builder’s merchant Travis Perkins, which already has a handy hub on its website aimed at simplifying the requirements of each Building Regulation, has set out what tradespeople must know about some key upcoming building, tax, qualification and employment rules…

The Building Safety Levy

A tax on new residential buildings developed across England is being introduced from October 2026, in the form of the Building Safety Levy.

Introduced by the UK’s government with the aim of funding the remediation of residential developments, the levy will be collected by local authorities – deemed local guardians of the building control process – and payable by developers.

This levy is envisioned to raise up to £3.5 billion across the next decade, with these funds then contributing to fixing building safety defects on existing residential structures so that residents are kept safe.

If a residential building developer does not pay the levy, their local authority or the Building Safety Regulator will withhold the building control completion certificate for the site being worked on.

There are some exemptions to the Building Safety Levy though, with the regulations not applying to the following:

Care homes.
Hospitals.
Hotels.
Purpose-built student accommodation with fewer than 30 bedspaces.
School accommodation.
Sites of fewer than 10 dwellings.
Social and supported housing developments.
Social housing providers and their wholly owned subsidiaries, when they are non-profit registered.
Temporary accommodation for domestic abuse refugees or homeless people.

GOV.UK has a lot more information about the Building Safety Levy, though Lee Jackson, Technical Director at Travis Perkins Managed Services, also points out: “All developers working on residential developments should ensure they fully understand the Building Safety Levy in the lead up to its introduction next October, especially when considering the viability of new projects.

“For small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) developers, this is a crucial time to plan training on this subject, so developments can be completed on time and expensive delays and costs are not incurred towards the end of a development.”

Additions to the Employment Rights Bill

The Employment Rights Bill was first introduced into the UK parliament in October 2024 as part of a pledge made in the Labour government’s 2024 election manifesto.

Tradespeople with their own company that employs staff must consider the impact that additions to this Bill in 2026 will have on how their firm is run.

Changes to employment law, which will affect those in the trade sector, are expected to be introduced in two stages throughout the next year, with April 2026 set to see these alterations:

Both paternity leave and ordinary parental leave become day one rights.
Simplified rules for trade unions to gain recognition in a workplace.
Statutory sick pay will need to be paid from the first day of an employee’s illness, not the fourth day.
The introduction of the Fair Work Agency, which aims to bring existing enforcement bodies together and oversee the enforcement of other employment rights.

A series of other important employment reforms are in the process of being introduced into the UK in October 2026, including the following:

Employers banned from forcing through contractual changes through fire-and-rehire practices, which sees staff members being dismissed and then offered re-employment on less favourable terms.
Employers needing to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. These steps will include putting in place a clear anti-harassment policy, having reporting channels which are safe and accessible, and carrying out training on a regular basis to both staff members and their managers.
Staff members having greater freedom to join trade unions or take part in union activities without fear of retaliation from an employer.

New Qualification Requirement Definitions for Electrical Operatives

Scheme providers such as the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC), the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers (NAPIT), the Electrical Contractors’ Association (ECA) and SELECT have come together under the umbrella of the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS).

The aim of the collaboration is to define new qualification requirements for all electrical operatives starting from October 2026.

Currently, when a scheme provider completes their assessment of a registered organisation, they only focus attention on a qualified supervisor, regarding assessment and continued professional development. From October though, this will be widened to include all electrical employees working under the scope of the registered company.

If the registered organisation carries out work recognised by the EAS as requiring additional training, the company will be required to have all operatives conducting the prescribed work to hold a recognised Level 3 qualification in that area. The new areas defined are Inspection and Testing, Electric Vehicle installations, Solar Photovoltaic systems and Electrical Energy Storage [Battery] Systems.

These requirements will apply to directly employed electrical staff, as well as any subcontractors or labour agency workers completing electrical work for the main contractor.

There are several relevant qualifications available across the UK. However, it is expected that demand will be high in the run up to the deadline of October due to the large number of companies having competent engineers that do not individually hold a relevant Level 3 qualification.

Electrical companies across the UK will therefore be required to find time and money to upskill their workforce, alongside the complexity of managing existing projects while also taking employees off the road to complete their qualifications.

The Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self-Assessment Strategy

Sole traders who submit tax returns may need to change how they carry out this tax from next year, depending on their earnings.

This is because any sole trader earning over £50,000 will have to switch to using the Making Tax Digital (MTD) portal for their income tax from April 2026 (those earning more than £30,000 will then make the switch from April 2027, before those earning over £20,000 is introduced to the system from April 2028).

What this means is that a Self-Assessment tax return will no longer need to be filled out. Instead, MTD software will see your accounting records tied to income tax being stored by digital means.

As well as sole traders having an easier means to manage their taxes and getting greater visibility of their business’ finances, MTD software has the potential to cut down on the errors recorded in handling tax affairs which contribute to the UK’s tax gap.

For self-assessment businesses, HM Revenue & Customs estimates that the tax gap is near to 18.5 per cent – equivalent to £5 billion of tax that is due but goes unpaid.

From alterations to how residential developments are planned out to fresh employee rights, qualification requirement definitions and a digital means of submitting a self-assessment tax return, 2026 could be a big year of change for some tradespeople. So, preparing for these changes well in advance can help ensure those in the trade who are affected will not be caught out when the new rules take effect.

A Family Affair: Over half (52%) of tradespeople were introduced to a career in the trades by a parent

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05/02/2026

Over half of tradespeople were introduced to a career in the trades by a parent
85% say family-owned trade businesses are important for the industry
68% say a family member encouraged them to pursue a trade
32% say they learned their trade through a family business
41% entered via a formal apprenticeship
88% saying they are happy with their career choice and an overwhelming 92% say they would recommend pursuing a trade to a family member

Over half of tradespeople (52%) were introduced to a career in the trades by a parent and a further third (36%) by another family member*. That’s according to new research by Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchant.

The research, conducted among 150 tradespeople, examines the critical role families play in encouraging careers in the construction industry.

As Ireland struggles with construction skills shortages, the research reveals that 85% of tradespeople say family-owned trade businesses are important for the industry, with many acting as informal training grounds for the next generation. 41% entered the industry via a formal apprenticeship, while 32% say they learned their trade through a family business, often combining hands-on experience with mentorship from a parent or relative.

When it comes to who is encouraging young people into the trades, again it’s a family affair with 68% saying a family member encouraged them to pursue a trade. A fifth (20%) say a friend encouraged them but only 11% say a teacher encouraged them, suggesting formal education may still undervalue vocational careers despite their strong employment prospects.

Demonstrating its commitment to fostering growth in the sector, as part of an ongoing partnership with Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Chadwicks Group has invested €250,000 into Ireland’s first Design + Construct Centre. Chadwicks Group also has a Scholarship Programme with TU Dublin, as well as sponsoring the Apprenticeship Excellence Awards in The School of Architecture, Building and the Environment.

Chadwicks Group is also supplying materials for a new Transition Year module, delivered by Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board. It teaches trade skills in three Dublin secondary schools, giving students hands-on experience and an insight into what a career in construction entails.

Job satisfaction in the trades is high with 88% saying they are happy with their career choice and an overwhelming 92% saying they would recommend pursuing a trade to a family member. When asked to describe what working in a trade in 2026 is like, over half (52%) say it’s a highly skilled job, 29% say their skills are highly sought after and 23% say it’s a physically demanding job.

Commenting on the findings, Patrick Atkinson, CEO, Chadwicks Group said:

“Our research clearly shows that in Ireland the trades are more than just a career choice, they are often a family tradition. Parents, relatives and family-run businesses continue to play a vital role in introducing young people to the construction industry and passing on skills, knowledge and pride in the work.

However, the findings also highlight the need for greater emphasis on the trades within secondary education. Too often, vocational careers are overlooked in favour of academic pathways, despite offering highly skilled, secure and rewarding employment. At a time when Ireland is facing significant skills shortages, it’s vital that young people are given earlier exposure to the full range of career options available to them.

At Chadwicks Group, we’re committed to supporting that pipeline of future talent, whether through our scholarship programme with TU Dublin or by backing hands-on initiatives at second level that give students real insight into what a career in construction involves.”

CIOB event in NI brings together industry experts and emerging talent

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04/02/2026

Meet CIOB event has become a highlight on the annual industry calendar in Northern Ireland
More than 100 experts, suppliers and students attended
Guest speakers discussed key issues including skills, EDI and sustainability.

More than 100 construction experts, employers, suppliers and students gathered in Belfast last week for the Chartered Institute of Building’s annual ‘Meet CIOB’ event.

The conference, which was held at the Europa Hotel, included talks from CIOB’s Ireland hub staff and its members who spoke about construction careers and pathways to CIOB membership. There were also talks on key topics for the industry including equality, diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.

The free event also provided visitors with opportunities to network with each other and dozens of industry exhibitors.

Sarah Hallinan, Regional manager for CIOB in Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “It’s a privilege to bring together so many people from across Northern Ireland’s construction industry and showcase what an amazing sector it is. The event was also a great opportunity to lead discussions on the biggest challenges we all face, namely the skills gap, ensuring we’re a welcoming sector, and how we build without negatively impacting the environment.

“It was encouraging to see some students there as they’re the next generation of construction professionals and we hope they felt inspired by what they saw and heard. Developing a strong pipeline of talent is vital for Northern Ireland’s built environment sector, which plays such an important role in the country’s wider economy.”

Patrick McCafferty, a Chartered construction manager at WSP, said: “Attending the recent ‘Meet the CIOB’ event at the Europa was genuinely valuable for us. I had gone along to get clarity on the chartership route for a colleague and to understand the next steps for my own fellowship application, and we were able to speak directly with the right people and get clear answers to both. I also really enjoyed the range of information, the stalls, and the presentations – they were all very well put together. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere made it easy to chat and network and overall, it was a very well organised and thoroughly worthwhile event.”

CIOB’s Northern Ireland hub has more than 1,500 members who work across a wide range of roles including construction management, health & safety and design. For more information visit www.ciob.org

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