merrion street

Pictured are Minister of State for Housing Damien English, Jim Mansfield, Chair of the Irish Concrete Society and Tom Parlon, Director General of the Construction Industry Federation

A new initiative to promote excellence in concrete practice has been unveiled which will see concrete operatives in Ireland offered a formally recognised education and guidance course on working with concrete. The ‘Concrete Ticket’, an initiative by the Irish Concrete Society, was officially launched in Dublin today by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English. 

The Concrete Ticket aims to ensure that concrete construction is carried out to European and Irish standards by operatives with the necessary skill and training. Under the voluntary initiative, operatives are offered education in the form of a half-day course with guidance on the correct ordering, handling, finishing and curing of concrete for construction, with participants then having to complete and pass a multiple choice test. Successful participants receive an official photo ID card as proof of completion. A number of courses have already taken place, and some 20 courses are planned for 2017 in locations around the country. 

Commenting on the launch, Minister of State for Damien English said:

The Irish concrete industry is renowned for the high calibre of its workforce and the high quality of its finished products. This initiative will help to recognise and enhance the already high-quality skill base within the industry, and will ensure that, as our economy and the construction industry recovers, we have workers who have the necessary skills to carry out concrete work to European and Irish standards.

The Irish Concrete Society has launched a dedicated website about the Concrete Ticket with information on dates and venues of courses, available at www.concreteticket.ie.