WIT recently hosted their 8th International Construction Management Day in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). The world’s largest and most influential professional body for construction management and leadership, the CIOB recognizes the importance of celebrating the global success of the construction industry each year through this important event.
Hugh O’Hara, a Chartered Construction Manager with the Designer Group, delivered the keynote presentation, where he spoke about the technical and managerial challenges faced in delivering the refurbishment of the OPW’s Con Colbert House Data Centre. His work on this mission critical data centre was nominated for the Construction Manager of the Year Awards in 2017, for which he received the Silver Medal in his category. Hugh noted the importance of stakeholder management, pre-construction planning, health & safety and innovation in such a challenging live environment.
The next presentation was about the Saqr Port Extension, a major marine engineering project in the United Arab Emirates being undertaken by BAM International, gave the proceedings a truly international dimension. Project Manager Tom Rochford, a native of Mooncoin and WIT graduate, along with current Construction Management placement student, Andrew Whelan, talked about their experiences of living and working in the Middle East.
An industry panel discussion followed where Hugh O’Hara was joined by Declan Gahan of Sisk, Brian Costello of Clancy Construction and Des Stafford of MDY Construction engaged in a lively debate about their experience, current issues facing the industry and the wealth of opportunities available for graduates of construction programmes. All participants were extremely positive about the prospects of the sector and believe that the North Quay development in Waterford could be a game-changer for the South East region.
With a number of leading local and national companies in attendance, the students had an opportunity to meet these employers to discuss job opportunities. In addition to the panel discussion participants, representatives from Carron & Walsh, Duggan Brothers, Suir Engineering and the Construction Industry Federation were present to make for a very successful networking session.
Sponsors and organisers of the event, the CIOB, were represented by their Development Manager, Niamh Webbley-O’Gorman, who was on hand to deal with queries about the institute and promote the importance of professional body membership to students. WIT’s Construction Management & Engineering has a long-standing relationship with the CIOB and actively participates in a range of activities in support of promoting the profession of Construction Management.
Further details of the BSc (Hons) in Construction Management & Engineering can be found here or by contacting Programme Leader, Dr. Brian Graham
SETU Waterford, Cork Road, Waterford City, 
