Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

The Work

Site foremen supervise and co-ordinate the day to day operations of building, engineering and architectural projects. They make sure that projects have all the material required, that required work is organised and daily responsibilities are assigned so that they are carried out efficiently. Another responsibility is that safety standards are met and that staff have sufficient guidance to carry out their tasks.

They may take on the training of less experienced employees and supervise the carrying out of work. On complex sites involving a large variety of contractors, equipment and individual tasks working simultaneously the foreman is key to keeping site activity coordinated.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Plan, schedule, or coordinate construction project activities to meet deadlines.
• Prepare and submit budget estimates, progress reports, or cost tracking reports.
• Interpret and explain plans and contract terms to representatives of the owner or developer, including administrative staff, workers, or clients.
• Direct and supervise construction or related workers.
• Prepare contracts or negotiate revisions to contractual agreements with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, or subcontractors.
• Confer with supervisory personnel, owners, contractors, or design professionals to discuss and resolve matters, such as work procedures, complaints, or construction problems.
• Plan, organise, or direct activities concerned with the construction or maintenance of structures, facilities, or systems.
• Study job specifications to determine appropriate construction methods.
• Inspect or review projects to monitor compliance with building and safety codes or other regulations.
• Investigate damage, accidents, or delays at construction sites to ensure that proper construction procedures are being followed.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Foremen are almost always construction workers with many years of experience gained from working on site. To become a foreman focus on learning as much as possible from your experience on site and to take courses relevant to construction to develop a broad and deep level of technical knowledge. So when you apply for jobs as a foreman you can display competence in all the moving parts that make up a construction project. Keeping up to date on new developments in construction technology and processes is also valuable.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Manual Handling, Safepass, Working at height, LUGS Locating underground services, Construction skills programme, Project & general management Single cert/ NFQ Level 4-6 Search FET Courses 

FET PLC Courses: Construction skills, Building Construction (Pre-Apprenticeship), Construction and Engineering Technology, Construction Technology with Renewable Energy Systems, Property Management courses at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses. 

Apprenticeships: Further Machinery & Skills certs for entry into this occupation can be short, but progression into sustained employment is gained via developing more skills, networking, and qualifications up to trade Apprenticeship levels NFQ Level 6 Search Apprentcieships 

Higher Education CAO Entry: Construction Management, Construction (Facilities and Building Services Management), Construction Management and Engineering, Construction Project Management and Applied Technology, Project and Construction Management at NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Postgraduate Study Options Health & Safety in Construction, Construction Project Management, BIM & Lean Construction Management NFQ Major or special purpose level 9 award. 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €85k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
CPL / Morgan McKinley/ Brightwater/ Sigmar/ Excel/ Clark

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although the annual average employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation was only marginally above the national average, employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022. 

Census data indicates that civlil engineers account for over half of the employment in this group: the strongest growth since 2016 was for production managers/directors. 

Both the new employment permits issued and the mentions of difficult-to-fill vacancies in the Recruitment Agency Survey point to issues in sourcing civil, site and structural engineers along with construction project managers. In addition, the Skills for Growth data signals issues with sourcing civil engineers (including for water infrastructure and sustainability) and structural engineer roles (especially those with project management skills).

Demand for this occupation was also evident in the 12% increase in the number of job postings (OVATE) for civil engineers in 2022, with growing demand for skills in project management, teamwork, communication and adaptability. Demand for these roles is expected to continue as Ireland aims to meet housing and climate action targets. With employment increasing and issues with recruitment evident, shortages are likely to continue. 

• Health and Safety Authority

  • The Metropolitan Building, James Joyce St. Dublin 1
  • 1890 289 389
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Construction Industry Federation

  • Construction House, Canal Road, Dublin 6
  • (01) 406 6000
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Engineers Ireland

  • 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
  • (01) 665 1300
  • Click Here