MAI N FE ATURE
BUILDING A F U T U R E -P R O O F E D C ONSTRUC TION SEC TO R T The Construction Sector Group’s Innovation and Digital Adoption SubGroup chairperson PJ RUDDEN speaks with Robbie Cousins about the progress being made in putting in place the foundations for a more modern and sustainable Irish construction industry.
he Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s (DPER’s) 2019 report Productivity in the Irish Construction Industry, prepared by KPMG/Future Analytics, set out seven priority actions that needed to be implemented in the context of delivering the National Development Plan (NDP). These priority actions are seen as key to achieving the modernisation of the Irish construction industry, bringing it on a par with more efficient sectors, such as IT and manufacturing. The priority actions are also considered essential interventions to enable the construction sector to become a major contributor to achieving the carbonemission reduction commitments made by the government in its Climate Action Bill of achieving a 51% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Following the report’s publication, the Construction Sector Group (CSG), comprising government and industry representatives, set up the Innovation and Digital Adoption Subgroup to implement the seven priority actions. The CSG appointed PJ Rudden, former president of Engineers Ireland, as chairperson of the the subgroup to oversee the implementation of the actions. The seven priority actions are: 1. Establish construction research needs 2. Identify funding sources for future innovation 3. Guide the development of modern methods of construction (MMC) 4. Establish a construction technology centre 5. Establish a digital network under the Construction Skillnet 6. Digitise the planning process 7. Establish and fund a build digital centre of excellence for BIM and digital adoption. The Innovation and Digital Adoption SubGroup has brought together the top minds and leaders from across all areas of construction to ensure the seven priorities are delivered. PJ Rudden says that the seven priority working groups have already achieved much since September. Speaking about the need for innovation
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in Irish construction at this time, Rudden comments: “Irish construction is relatively low tech. The industry’s multinational clients are all-embracing Industry 4.0. There is quite a gap between that and where the Irish construction and engineering sectors are currently. Those clients expect the same approach as they are taking from our larger construction firms, who, in fairness, are starting to deliver at the higher end of the industry. At the same time, the majority of firms in the construction sector are SMEs, and we need to assist them to upskill to the required levels of innovation and digital adoption.”
RAPID PROGRESS
Rudden says that despite the pandemic, the subgroup has achieved much since its work officially commenced in September 2020. Each of the seven priority actions has an action leader who reports every four weeks. The subgroup meets to consider progress every six weeks. PJ Rudden then reports to the CSG chairperson, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s secretarygeneral, every three months. Addressing progress to date on each of the actions, PJ Rudden explains: “Action 1, [Establishing construction research needs] is complete and now feeding into Action 2 [Identify funding sources for future innovation], which in turn feeds into Action 3 [MMC development) and Action 4 [Construction Technology Centre]. “Action 2 has researched available sources of Irish and EU funding to pilot innovation across a range of construction activities in terms of enhanced productivity and sustainability. “Action 3 includes modular and off-site construction, circular economy and the decarbonisation of materials. “Action 4 is the centrepiece of the whole project, and EY consultants are working on a ‘Detailed Description of Needs for the Construction Technology Centre’ in terms of the content and activities that will best innovate, develop and upskill our future industry. “Action 5, [Establishing a digital network under the Construction Skillnet], is jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Construction Industry Federation. This