About the Programme
The Work Ready Graduate Programme is a year-long programme which matches recently qualified graduates (Level 8 degree or equivalent in disciplines relevant to the construction and built environment sector) with our industry members, while also providing training, mentorship and support to the graduates through Construct Innovate.
“There’s a lot of value, a huge value in knowledge and experience coming from people who’ve worked in the industry for a long time, but the construction industry is also always evolving, and innovation is happening on a daily basis. You need to trust in your knowledge and your abilities, and challenge the norms.”
Learn more about Sawsan’s background, her experience with the Work Ready Graduate Programme, and details of two projects she has been working on at Scott Tallon Walker Architects.
“Scott Tallon Walker Architects had supported Construct Innovate from the very beginning of its existence in 2022, and as we already had an awareness of the Work Ready Graduate Programme, last year, when the opportunity came to engage with the graduate placement, we were happy to have a look at the list of applicants. We took our first WRGP participant in September 2024.
For us, it meant that we had somebody in the office who had a particular focus on the sustainability aspects of projects, both from, the practical and compliance side, but also from a theoretical level, and with a strong analytical, and ethical approach, which really kind of energised everybody here, in the Scott Tallon Walker Architects team in Galway. And, in fact, we had a whole new look at how we were doing projects in question. So that was the most helpful.”
Paul Mannion, Associate at Scott Tallon Walker Architects
Work Ready Graduate Programme
About the Programme
The Work Ready Graduate Programme is run by Construct Innovate, funded by Enterprise Ireland commencing in September. The year-long programme matches recently qualified graduates (Level 8 degree or equivalent in disciplines relevant to the construction and built environment sector) with our industry members, while also providing training, mentorship and support to the graduates through Construct Innovate.
How long is the Placement
The Graduate must complete a 12-month work Placement in industry in addition to completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Construction Innovation. The programme runs from September to August.
Assignment of tasks
Whilst the Host Organisation may offer some flexibility to the graduate in carrying out their studies, the graduate is expected to adhere to a standard working week, following the company’s regular working hours. It is the responsibility of the Host Organisation to assign tasks to the graduate during this time in line with their business needs and as appropriate with the graduate’s level of experience.
Training and Mentorship
In addition to assigning work tasks to the graduate, it is expected that the Host Organisation will provide appropriate training and mentorship throughout the work placement to the Graduate.
The Host Organisation is expected to assign a suitable staff member to be the Graduate’s mentor during the Secondment. This mentor will stay in regular contact with the Graduate and
make sure they get the right training and work experience throughout the placement. The mentor should also be available to meet with Construct Innovate as required.
The Graduate will, at the same time as doing the work placement, undertake the Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation and the Host Company is expected to provide some flexibility, in discussion with the graduate, to give them time to complete coursework, projects and study when required.
Employment
The Graduate will be employed by the University on a fixed-term, 12 month, contract of employment for the duration of their placement and will be seconded to the Host Organisation for this period.
The Graduate must work full-time within the organisation for the entirety of the programme, 5 days per week from the first day of the programme.
Secondment agreement
Once the Host Company has confirmed their participation in the Work Ready Graduate Programme, they will receive a secondment agreement. This agreement, which must be signed by the Company, the University and the Graduate, outlines the responsibilities and obligations of all parties.
Programme Costs and Graduate Salary
The structure of the Work Ready Graduate Programme allows for part funding of the cost of the programme by Construct Innovate and part funding by the Host Organisation. Programme costs include the salary of the graduate (including employer PRSI, employer pension contributions); mentorship; laptop; fees for Postgraduate Diploma in Construction Innovation; and programme management costs.
The portion of the funding to be covered by the Host Organisation depends on the Organisation type and size. For SME’s who are Clients of Enterprise Ireland (programme funder), the requirement is to contribute 30% of the overall programme costs. For Multinational organisations and/or IDA clients, the requirement is to contribute 50% of the programme costs.
The programme cost contribution required by the Host Organisation can therefore range between €18,500 – €31,000. Exact costs will be outlined in the Secondment Agreement once an agreement has been reached between the organisation, the Graduate and Construct Innovate to proceed with a placement. The required cost contribution of the programme will be invoiced by Construct Innovate to the Host Organisation in 3 parts over the course of the year; September, March and August.
Of this programme cost, the Graduate’s salary for the 12-month placement will be €38,000 and is paid monthly by the University to the graduate.
Contact Details
If you have any further queries, contact:
Maura Fleming – Work Ready Graduate Programme Co-ordinator
