How can construction companies attract and retain the best staff beyond simply offering higher wages?
Paddy McDade addressed the construction industry's "War for Talent" at Queen's University, Belfast, where he set this year's employer challenge for Construction and Project Management Master's students. While companies are increasingly compelled to offer higher wages to attract and retain staff, students were tasked with identifying supplementary strategies that organizations can implement to secure and maintain top-tier talent within the construction sector. The innovative solutions developed by students will be presented in four weeks. Read more.
Meet Paddy McDade:
Paddy is the Company Director at NECTO Selection, an international recruitment agency and search firm specializing exclusively in construction operations. The firm partners with clients and candidates across the full spectrum of management roles in both commercial and residential construction, including site managers, project managers, contracts managers, site engineers, civil engineers, and finishing managers.
His career trajectory provides him with a uniquely comprehensive perspective on the industry. After spending six years working directly in construction, Paddy transitioned to recruitment, where he has since accumulated nearly ten years of specialized experience. This combination of hands-on construction knowledge and extensive recruitment expertise enables him to bridge the gap between technical understanding and talent acquisition—a dual perspective that resonates with both employers seeking top talent and professionals navigating their career trajectories.
It is precisely this depth of industry knowledge that has established Paddy's credibility in the construction recruitment space. Candidates and clients alike recognize they are engaging with someone who understands not only the nuances of various construction roles but also the operational realities and challenges that define them. His insights at the event will draw from this sixteen-year foundation across both sides of the construction industry.
Three weeks ago, Paddy McDade shared an exciting update from Queen’s University Belfast, where this year’s Construction & Project Management Master’s students were invited to take on a real industry problem:
How do we address the ‘War for Talent’ in construction?
To help them dive deeper, Paddy and the NECTO team prepared the October NECTO Challenge, a presentation outlining the core pressures shaping today’s talent landscape — and it sets the perfect foundation for meaningful student solutions.
Here’s a look at what the students are working with:
1. Multiple Sectors Competing for the Same Talent
The challenge highlights that construction workers aren’t only building homes anymore. They’re being pulled into:
- Data centres, a premium-wage sector with massive investment
- Pharmaceutical and tech construction, with large-scale, high-budget projects
- Public infrastructure, including NDP works, Metrolink, and road upgrades
This cross-industry competition is a major driver of today’s talent shortage.
2. Wage Inflation Is Reshaping the Market
As companies fight to attract and retain staff, wages and benefit packages keep climbing.
This creates additional pressure — especially for regional builders, who struggle to compete with larger players and multinational contractors.
3. A Perfect Storm Creating a Real ‘War for Talent’
The combined weight of demand, competition, and rising costs is pushing companies to rethink how they hire, develop, and keep their teams.
That’s exactly the challenge the students were asked to solve.
Looking Ahead: The Next Session at Queen’s University Belfast
With all of this context, the students at Queen’s University Belfast are now deep into exploring practical, creative, and industry-ready solutions.
It has officially been three weeks — and we’re getting closer to the follow-up session where Paddy and the NECTO team will return to hear their ideas.
This is the moment to get excited.
Their perspectives will help shape how companies respond to workforce shortages, salary pressures, and cross-sector competition in the years ahead.
Excited for the upcoming session at Queen’s University Belfast — the next wave of breakthroughs is approaching.
At NECTO Search & Selection, our mission is to connect talented construction professionals with opportunities that can transform their careers. Whether you're looking to advance professionally or aiming to enhance your team with top talent, we are here to facilitate your journey to success.
About NECTO Search & Selection
NECTO Search and Selection specializes in recruiting white-collar construction professionals throughout the Island of Ireland. The firm comprises knowledgeable consultants who connect candidates with appropriate clients through a targeted matching process. With relevant construction qualifications, site experience, and over ten years in recruitment, the team focuses on specific roles including quantity surveyors, estimators, buyers, contracts managers, project managers, site managers, site engineers, civil engineers, health and safety/SHEQ/HSEQ professionals, planners, and design managers.
- Website: www.nectoselection.com
- Email: info@nectoselection.com
- Belfast: +44 (0) 2890993234
- Dublin: +353 (0) 15766667
