Each week we explain how to look for work experience. This time, construction.

The construction industry benefited more than any other sector from Ireland's economic success. It generates about €20 billion a year, and, even though the property market has slowed down, demand for houses, offices, roads and other products of the construction industry is still high.

In addition to the craft-based careers that make up a huge part of the industry - plumbing, electrical work and carpentry, for example - a number of other professionals are involved. Architects, engineers, planners, project managers and safety officers are all among the 280,000 people in the sector. They can work in commercial construction - offices, shopping centres and housing - or in civil engineering, which covers public amenities, such as roads, bridges and dams.

"The industry continuously needs more school leavers," says Cathal Lee of the Construction Industry Federation. "At the moment there over 20,000 young people involved in apprenticeships within the construction industry. Thousands more are studying in third-level colleges, in areas from construction technology to engineering. Like any industry, there is a requirement for a diversity of skills, including enthusiasm, a good work ethic and, most importantly, a willingness to learn."

One role that is vital to any major project is that of the surveyor. Quantity surveyors act as financial managers for construction projects, trying to keep costs in check, and have a wide knowledge of legal, accounting and technical issues relating to construction.

Building surveyors supervise the construction of buildings, as well as overseeing the maintenance of existing buildings. The skills of both make them essential to construction firms, surveying practices, property-development companies, government departments and semi-state organisations, local authorities and insurance companies.

When you're looking for work experience, research a few areas.

"Due to the wide variety of work that is involved in construction, it is best to narrow down the area that you wish to gain experience in," says Lee.

"For example, many companies are specialist companies, providing a specific service, while other

companies carry out a wide variety of work.

"It is a good idea to research each company first, to get an idea of what type of work they carry out. Like any industry, it is recommended to contact companies directly."

If you are interested in surveying, Colin Cleary of the Society of Chartered Surveyors recommends working over the summer. "Work experience for secondary-level students would generally be more easily organised during the summer months," says Cleary. "Students can find out through the society who the appropriate surveying practice would be, and they can then make the appropriate contact thereafter."

See www.cif.ie and www.scs.ie