Cork-based engineering contractor Dornan has expanded its direct hiring capability with the introduction of a dedicated Trades and Labour recruitment function, forming part of the company's Talent Acquisition team, as reported by Irish Building Magazine. The move provides a dedicated point of contact for skilled trades and labour professionals across Ireland, the UK and Europe and is designed to support Dornan's growing project portfolio.

The appointment of a Trades and Labour Manager represents the next step in Dornan's evolving recruitment strategy. The role, held by Shirley Kealy, will focus on building direct relationships with prospective employees, enhancing the candidate experience and providing a clear route into opportunities across the business, working alongside the company's existing recruitment channels.

Micheál O'Connor, group managing director at Dornan, said: "As our business continues to grow, so too does the importance of building lasting relationships with the people who deliver our projects. Bringing our trades and labour recruitment in-house was a natural progression for Dornan. It allows us to engage directly with candidates, introduce them to our culture and values from day one, and provides a clearer pathway into long-term careers with Dornan. This investment reflects our commitment to developing our workforce and ensuring people joining Dornan understand not only the opportunities available today, but the opportunities to grow with the business in the years ahead."

Established in 1966, Dornan is a specialist engineering contractor with over 60 years of experience delivering complex projects across the advanced technology, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. The company partners with blue-chip clients across Ireland, the UK and Europe, with a project portfolio that spans technically complex and high-value built environment commissions.

The in-house recruitment initiative reflects a wider trend among Irish construction and engineering contractors responding to persistent skills shortages across the sector. According to the Construction Industry Federation's annual skills report, the Irish construction industry requires an estimated 50,000 additional workers by 2030 to meet projected output demand across housing, infrastructure and commercial development. Direct hiring models, as adopted by Dornan, are increasingly being used by major contractors to reduce reliance on agency labour and improve workforce retention.

By integrating trades and labour recruitment into its core Talent Acquisition function, Dornan aims to build a more stable and culturally aligned workforce as it scales operations across multiple geographies and project types.