On the 15th February the Irish Concrete Society officially launched their ‘Concrete Ticket’ Programme.  The new initiative aims to promote excellence in concrete practice and will see concrete operatives in Ireland offered a formally recognised education and guidance course on working with concrete. The ‘Concrete Ticket’, an initiative by the Irish Concrete Society, was officially launched by Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English, TD.

The Concrete Ticket aims to ensure that concrete construction is carried out to European and Irish standards by operatives with the necessary skill and training.  It also provides essential information on the properties of the material. Participants must undergo a multiple-choice test in order to qualify with a Concrete Ticket. Under the voluntary initiative, operatives are offered education in the form of a half-day course with guidance on the correct ordering, handling, finishing and curing of concrete for construction. Participants must then complete and pass a multiple-choice test, with successful participants receiving an official photo ID card as proof of completion. A number of courses have already taken place, and some 20 courses are planned for 2017 in locations around the country. The Irish Concrete Society has launched a dedicated website about the Concrete Ticket with information on dates and venues of courses, available at www.concreteticket.ie.

Commenting on the launch, Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English TD commented: “The Irish concrete industry is renowned for the high calibre of its work force and the high quality of its finished products. This initiative will help to recognise and enhance the already high-quality skill base within the industry, and will ensure that, as our economy and the construction industry recovers, we have workers who have the necessary skills to carry out concrete work to European and Irish standards.”

Course Dates and Venues Available at www.concreteticket.ie