Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Controlling Machines and Processes Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanised Devices, or Equipment Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanised equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

The Work

Building labourers carry out a variety of practical tasks that help skilled construction workers.

They may dig trenches, mix and lay concrete, operate machinery, use equipment such as cement mixers, drills and pumps, and move, load and unload materials.

The work may also involve driving a fork-lift truck and other construction site vehicles. They need to keep a constant supply of necessary materials to hand.

The work that they do is supposed to make the work of the skilled workers flow more easily.  
 
Labourers are often responsible for keeping the site tidy and looking after tools and equipment. Following instructions from skilled workers is an important part of the work.  
 
Building labourers wear protective safety clothing such as a helmet, high visibility jacket, boots and overalls at all times.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Tend pumps, compressors, or generators to provide power for tools, machinery, or equipment or to heat or move materials, such as asphalt.
• Lubricate, clean, or repair machinery, equipment, or tools.
• Signal equipment operators to facilitate alignment, movement, or adjustment of machinery, equipment, or materials.
• Read plans, instructions, or specifications to determine work activities.
• Measure, mark, or record openings or distances to layout areas where construction work will be performed.
• Clean or prepare construction sites to eliminate possible hasards.
• Dig ditches or trenches, backfill excavations, or compact and level earth to grade specifications, using picks, shovels, pneumatic tampers, or rakes.
• Load, unload, or identify building materials, machinery, or tools, distributing them to the appropriate locations, according to project plans or specifications.
• Use computers or other input devices to control robotic pipe cutters or cleaners.
• Perform construction laborer duties at green building sites, such as renewable energy plants or wind turbine installations.

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

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.

Building labourers usually enter employment directly and receive training on-the-job. Most Building labourers work for a contractor and not on a particular site. Some employers provide Manual handling training to new employees, but some employers require that you have completed a Manual Handling certificate prior to employment.

Key Skill Certs: 

Manual Handling: refers to physical activities in most workplaces, and in particular when the activities involve lifting heavy objects which could result in back injury.

Safepass: Health & Safety Awareness  

Working at height Safety in working at various Heights

These courses may be available at low or no cost in FET centres nationwide. You can search for these key skills certs, just add the key word via Search our FET Coursefinder

Training & Development 

Further Machinery & Skills certs for entry into this occupation can be short, but progression into sustained emplyment is gained via developing more skills, networking, and qualifications up to trade Apprenticeship levels Search our FET PLC Coursefinder, Search Apprenticeships in Construction sector Explorer. 

Last Updated: November, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €32k - €47k

This varies by employer, locations, skills, and if sub contracted or agency. Agency rates can vary per hour between €14.76-€22.91 p/hr rate. These rates are dependant on experience, skills, construction tickets, sessional rates, and shift patterns.

Data Source(s):
Excel/ Indeed.ie/ LRC

Last Updated: January, 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).

Overall employment levels for this occupation have been relatively stable in recent years; the negative employment growth over the five-year period for this occupation relates to changes that occurred on the introduction of the new Labour Force Survey in 2017. Although employment only increased marginally between 2021 and 2022, there was a high volume of recent job hires indicating that job churn is a significant issue. Scaffolders appeared in the employment permit data, the Recruitment Agency Survey and in the DSP Jobs Ireland vacancy data.

The number of QQI scaffolding awards (specific purpose) reached 329 in 2022, and except for 2019 (when there were 333 awards), was higher than at any point over the last 10 years. A new two-year apprenticeship for scaffolding was also announced in August 2021 which aims to alleviate any issues for this occupation. It is not possible, however, to determine from the Labour Force Survey or Census data the employment levels for scaffolders and as such it is difficult to determine the extent to which supply from the education/training system is meeting demand.

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