Skillnet Ireland has bolstered its array of professional development and business aids in the crucially significant contemporary construction methods (MMC) sector through the introduction of the new Skillnet MMC Accelerate scheme. This undertaking is a co-effort between Skillnet Ireland and the Construction IT Alliance (CITA), and aims to equip businesses with the necessary skills enhancement resources to quicken the integration of MMC in their everyday activities.
“Modern methods of construction encompasses an array of distinct construction techniques that enhance efficiency and minimise time, cost and wastage within projects,” says Liz Thomas, strategic planning consultant at Skillnet Ireland. While many perceive MMC as modular construction, it in fact covers much more. This includes three-dimensional features and 2D sections manufactured in plants, ready to be installed and structured on site. Additionally, pre-manufactured ordered components such as precast concrete and timber products, as well as additive manufacturing, are covered.
MMC also incorporates digital twinning and robots and drones utilisation on construction sites. The understanding of MMC across and beyond the industry needs to be escalated as these digital advancements accelerate over time, Thomas states. MMC can effectively support the National Development Plan and the Housing for All programme by meeting housing goals through delivering compliant, affordable, and high-quality accommodation while making time and labour savings. Moreover, the quality of homes built using factory produced elements could arguably be superior. MMC also has the potential to create zero energy bill homes, thereby enhancing sustainability.
MMC presents more work opportunities within the industry which could potentially rectify current labour workforce issues. Opportunities would include factory jobs which may help improve gender equality in the construction sector. For instance, in one pod manufacturing company, all the tilers are women. MMC could also help reduce obstacles to people pursuing careers in construction; considerations that are often made in secondary school under parental influence, with the 2008 recession often looming large in their minds. MMC has exports potential which gives it added stability, Thomas points out.
In July, a report detailing the requisite skills for transitioning to Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) in the forthcoming ten years was published by the Government’s Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. The report, as Thomas explained, incorporated 28 strategic suggestions covering several crucial sectors, including providing training. The report stressed the necessity to fill director-level knowledge shortfalls to ensure their endorsement of MMC usage in the future. The report also accentuated the urgency for implementing MMC at the outset, with the implication that the lack of MMC-specific designs from architects would cause MMC’s demise.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate aims at resolving such knowledge deficiencies and advocating for MMC throughout the broader construction industry. This platform acts as an exhibition of the MMC sector, emphasising future initiatives and capital invested in MMC, mapping out potential MMC career routes, directing towards opportunities for skill development and training, and linking resources available from the government, academia, and the industry.
“The initiative begins with understanding the ‘why,” as Thomas pointed out. The platform underscores the evolution of construction and posits MMC as an exciting field to explore. It informs about potential career trajectories, the knowledge and skills these roles require, and navigates through the network of available training – all consolidated under one umbrella.
Thomas recognises the challenges smaller businesses face as enrolling employees into training can have time and cost-related implications. Against such a backdrop, the platform also profiles the assistance available for such businesses.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate is one segment of Skillnet Ireland’s provisions for the construction industry. As Thomas continued, “We boast three dedicated Skillnet business webs for the industry – CITA, the Construction Professionals Skillnet, and the Industry 4.0 Skillnet. They all extend MMC-focused training, reflecting our pledge to cultivate expertise across all sectors.”
Founded in 1999 and celebrating its 25th year, Skillnet Ireland started with 10 such business networks, which have grown to 70 now. It collaborates with 57 diverse industry and regional organisations and last year alone provided training to 95,000 workers and supported 26,000 businesses. These efforts are vital to promoting Ireland’s economic prosperity and competitiveness.