Construction Doesn’t Have a Recruitment Problem – It Has a Retention Problem

You’ve seen the job boards.
You’ve had the calls.
You know the work is out there.

Construction in Ireland is full of opportunity right now. From housing and civils to data centres and retrofitting, there’s no shortage of jobs. But here’s the thing we don’t say enough:

👉 Just because you can take a job, doesn’t mean you should.

We talk a lot about recruitment in this industry and yes, companies are crying out for workers. But the real issue? Too many good people are walking off-site a few weeks or months in.

Not because they’re lazy.
Not because they don’t want to work.
But because the job just wasn’t the right fit.

What’s Actually Going Wrong?

A few things:

• Chasing day rate over long-term value

• Jumping into roles with no real structure or support

• Ending up in companies that don’t care who you are, just that you turn up
  
  

It’s no wonder retention is low when the focus is just on getting boots on the ground.

The truth is, money isn’t everything. Don’t get us wrong - we know your rate matters. But it’s not the only thing to look for when you’re thinking about your next move.

 

What You Should Look for in Your Next Role

• Stability: Is there a long-term pipeline or is it a quick fill? Ask what’s next after this project.

• Reputation: What are they known for - good work, or high turnover?

• Progression: Is there room to move up, or will you be stuck doing the same job for the next five years?

• Respect: Do they communicate clearly? Are you a name or just a number?

• Fit: Does the company value your experience, or are they just desperate to plug a gap?

 

Be Pickier. You’ve Earned It.

At Breagh Recruitment, we don’t just throw CVs at jobs and hope it sticks. We match people to companies who know how to treat their teams well - because we know that’s what keeps you coming back.

If you’re in demand (and you probably are), now’s the time to ask:

• What kind of site do I want to work on?

• Who do I want to work with?

• And what do I want out of the next 12 months?
  
  

There’s no shortage of roles. But if you want to stay in one - make sure it’s the right one.

Looking for something better than just “the next job”?
Talk to Breagh Recruitment. We’ll help you find the one worth sticking with.

 

About Breagh Recruitment

Breagh Recruitment is a specialist agency for permanent construction and engineering roles across Ireland, the UK and Europe. With over 20 years of industry experience, we support contractors, consultancies and developers in building strong, project-ready teams. From site engineers and BIM managers to project leads and site managers, we place people who know how to deliver. We take the time to understand each brief properly and offer a straight-talking, relationship-led recruitment service that prioritises long-term fit over short-term fixes.