Cairn’s apprenticeship programme is developing a talent pipeline for the future
Maura Winston, Cairn’s chief people officer, says their apprenticeship is very positive for talent pipeline development.
Homebuilder Cairn has invested €10m over a five-year period in its Apprenticeship Programme, which aims to enhance the long-term health and viability of the construction sector in Ireland by addressing future skills in the industry.
"The Cairn Apprenticeship Programme is designed to attract and train the next generation of talent within Ireland’s construction industry,” explains Maura Winston, Cairn chief people officer.
“The programme aims to help make a positive contribution towards two key sector challenges: retention of apprentices in the supply chain and talent pipeline development within the wider industry.”
A key component of this commitment is Cairn’s €10 million investment over five years to support the long-term health of Ireland’s construction sector.
“As of August 2025, more than 200 apprentices are registered to the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme and are hired by 14 members of our trusted supply chain. Since the establishment of the programme, the drop-out rate of apprentices in our supply chain has halved from 21.25% toless than 10%,” she added.
When developing the programme, it was important to Cairn that it was shaped by the people who know the industry the very best.
“That is why we developed the programme through extensive consultation with apprentices, subcontractors, educators, and government bodies. The perceived financial barriers around apprenticeships was something we were really conscious of when developing the programme, and is why we have made financial supports a key focus of the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme.”
For example, Cairn apprentices:
- €500 starter bursary for tools and clothing.
- Mid-programme bursary of €2,000 after Phase 2 to reduce dropout risk.
- Merit-based completion bonus to incentivise high achievement, ranging from €2,000 - €5,000.
- Mentorship from Cairn experts, study skills workshops, and flexible access to development supports.
“For participants, the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience on some of Ireland’s most innovative residential construction projects, such as Seven Mills in Dublin,” said Maura Winston.
“From early on, apprentices are exposed to sustainable building practices and Modern Methods of Construction, giving them a strong foundation for their careers. They also receive financial support at key stages of their apprenticeship, along with access to mentorship and developmental resources to guide and support their long-term career path in construction.
“As a company, Cairn is on an ambitious growth journey focused on increasing Ireland’s housing output – the future of the construction industry’s workforce is critical to help meet housing demand. It helps strengthen our skilled, loyal talent pool at Cairn and relationships with our subcontractors.
“In terms of how this programme helps people from non-construction backgrounds develop new career choices, Winston explains that “one of the great things about the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme is that it’s designed to be accessible even for those with no previous experience in construction.
“The programme offers structured, on-the-job training that helps people build skills from the ground up, making it an ideal entry point for anyone looking to make a fresh start in the construction industry.”
Participants get the chance to work directly on some of the country’s most innovative residential projects, using modern, sustainable building technologies in purpose-built learning environments.
“It’s a practical, hands-on approach that helps people quickly gain confidence and real-world experience,” added Maura.
Cairn is collaborating with The National Construction Training Campus at Mount Lucas through its Mobile Training Centre.
“Our Mobile Training Centre travels to schools around the country, giving second-level students a chance to try out skills like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and bricklaying in a safe, supportive setting.”
Since the initiative launched, over 1,350 students have taken part in these workshops, giving them a real taste of what a career in construction could look like.
Anna Reumkens, aged 20, from Sallins, Co Kildare, is a Cairn QS Apprentice had always been interested in becoming an apprentice.
“When I was in school, I loved the idea of becoming an apprentice, but many of the traditional roles, like electrician or plumber, didn’t really appeal to me. I started an Arts Degree at university, but I didn’t enjoy it and quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit for me,” said Anna.
Around that time, her mum pointed her towards the Cairn Apprenticeship Programme, and she hasn’t looked back since.
“I applied for the Quantity Surveyor apprenticeship at Cairn. I was always strong at Maths in school, and the hands-on learning and working style of the apprenticeship really drew my attention.
“As part of my role, I’m now working on Cairn’s largest-ever housing project, Seven Mills in Dublin. Being involved in such a major development so early in my career is incredibly valuable. I help the team manage project costs and finances, track orders, and ensure everything stays on schedule.
“Gaining this kind of real-world experience on a large-scale, fast-paced construction site is massively beneficial. I think apprenticeships should be seen as the way forward when exploring career paths. They offer people the chance to learn and grow professionally in a way that traditional education often doesn’t.
“I couldn’t recommend a programme like this more, particularly to anyone looking for a more practical route into a different career path.”
