Dowds Group, a construction and engineering firm based in Ballymena, has introduced a new employee benefits package for its 230 staff members. The package covers support from apprenticeships to retirement.

Louise McClelland, CEO of Dowds Group, stated that the construction industry faces a declining employment trend over 25 years, with a broken talent pipeline where new workers are not entering and experienced staff lack reasons to remain. The company aims to fix this through the package and its Dowds Academy training programme, which offers apprenticeships, placements, and professional development.

Key elements include 41 days of annual leave, private healthcare, six months of enhanced sick pay, and enhanced parental and carers' leave. Staff also gain round-the-clock access to support services.

The package resulted from consultations with staff and stakeholders. Dowds Group benchmarked it against major organisations using industry data.

This initiative supports the firm's five-year growth strategy. The company recently invested £1.6 million in its Ballymena professional services hub and projects a £95 million turnover in FY26.

Dowds Group works on projects such as Ulster University in Belfast.