Accelerating Homes and Skills: How 3DCP and Skillnet MMC Accelerate Are Driving Modern Construction in Ireland
Ireland’s construction sector is undergoing a major transformation — and skills development is at the heart of it.
The first 3D Construction Printed housing project in Dundalk, Co. Louth has demonstrated how 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP), combined with targeted workforce training, can significantly accelerate housing delivery while preparing the next generation of construction professionals.
Delivered by HTL.tech in collaboration with industry partners Louth County Council, Roadstone Ltd. and Louth & Meath Education and Training Board, the project achieved build times up to 60% faster than traditional masonry methods.
The Grange Close project stands as a powerful example of how modern technologies can transform housing delivery. Equally important, it reflects a broader shift in Ireland toward skills-driven innovation in construction. Central to this shift is Skillnet MMC Accelerate, Ireland’s national hub for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) training and workforce development. This industry-led initiative — a collaboration between Skillnet Ireland and the Construction IT Alliance (CitA) — is designed to support individuals and businesses seeking to upskill, future-proof their teams, and lead the adoption of advanced construction methods nationwide.
BIM Coordinator, Auveen O’Donnell, leading training at the HTL.tech R&D and training facility
From Innovation to Workforce Capability
MMC — which includes technologies like 3D concrete printing, offsite manufacturing, digital design (BIM), and other advanced techniques — is transforming how buildings are designed and constructed. With Skills at its core, MMC addresses productivity, sustainability, and quality challenges in the construction sector.
Skillnet MMC Accelerate: Ireland’s MMC Skills Ecosystem
Skillnet MMC Accelerate provides a national online platform and a series of regional events that act as an accessible training and insight hub for the construction industry. The initiative supports:
Upskilling and reskilling for individuals and teams
Connection to career pathways and MMC-relevant qualifications
Access to case studies, research, and industry resources
Networking opportunities with professionals and innovators
Whether you’re a craft worker, site manager, designer, or business leader, the platform offers tailored routes to develop MMC competencies — from foundational courses to more advanced industry training.
Building a Future-Ready Construction Workforce
By linking cutting-edge projects like the Grange Close project with structured training support, Skillnet MMC Accelerate helps Ireland cultivate a workforce capable of delivering faster, smarter, and more sustainable construction. This approach not only speeds up housing delivery but also expands opportunities for professionals across the sector — creating new career pathways in digital construction, manufacturing, and innovation.
At HTL.tech, we’re proud to work alongside initiatives like Skillnet MMC Accelerate to help shape the future of Irish construction — where technology and skills development go hand in hand to meet the demands of modern housing and infrastructure.
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