CIOB student challenge inspires a new wave of Irish construction professionals

Scores of built environment students from across Ireland put their skills to the test during a competitive construction challenge in March 2025.

The teams were handed a secret task just hours before the competition started. They were then asked to showcase their innovative ideas and teamwork skills in front of a panel of built environment judges and prospective employers.

Sarah Hallinan, Regional Manager at Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), said she was impressed by how quickly the students, from colleges and universities across the country, came up with solutions.

She added: “Every team had a very unique approach which is an impressive feat given the time constraints they faced on the day. Verbal communication is very important in construction, especially when it comes to really selling your project to a potential bidder, and I was particularly impressed with how well all the students communicated their ideas.”

A team from Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in Galway scooped the top prize, while contestants from University of Limerick and Dundalk Institute of Technology finished second and third respectively.

John Hanahoe, Senior Lecturer at ATU, said: “The Student Challenge event was really worthwhile for our students. Our multidisciplinary team of undergraduate students had the opportunity to work together to a very tight deadline and then to present their findings to a large panel of industry judges. I have no doubt that winning the event is a great boost to their confidence and gives them a great start to their careers in the construction industry.”

The event, which took place at Dundalk Institute of Technology, also saw a careers fair take place, giving students a chance to network with prospective employers and seek careers advice from leading construction professionals across Ireland. Several expert speakers were also on hand to deliver inspiring presentations about life in the construction sector.

Hallinan continued: "Events like this are a great opportunity to not only put students’ minds to the test, but also give them the opportunity to engage with people who may have been in their position to give them advice and share real-life experiences of what it is really like to work in the construction industry.

“A huge congratulations to the team from Atlantic Technological University which, as well as gaining recognition in front of a packed construction crowd, were all given vouchers to spend. Thank you also to our sponsors, Ganson Building and Civil Engineering and Tinnelly Group, and to Dundalk Institute of Technology for hosting such a fantastic event last Thursday.”

To find out more about the CIOB Tomorrow’s Leaders community, visit: www.ciob.org/tomorrows-leaders

Verbal communication is very important in construction, especially when it comes to really selling your project to a potential bidder, and I was particularly impressed with how well all the students communicated their ideas

Sarah Hallinan , Regional Manager - Ireland

This article appears on the CIOB news and blogsite as 'CIOB student challenge inspires a new wave of Irish construction professionals' dated 6 March, 2025.

--CIOB

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