{"id":6895,"date":"2025-05-30T09:10:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T09:10:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/?p=6895"},"modified":"2025-05-30T09:10:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T09:10:12","slug":"recruitment-agencies-highlight-persistent-skills-shortages-across-key-sectors-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/recruitment-agencies-highlight-persistent-skills-shortages-across-key-sectors-in-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"Recruitment Agencies Highlight Persistent Skills Shortages Across Key Sectors in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"145\" data-end=\"573\">Recruitment agencies across Ireland are continuing to face significant challenges in sourcing skilled talent, with the latest <em data-start=\"271\" data-end=\"298\">Recruitment Agency Survey<\/em> conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) at SOLAS revealing a widespread difficulty in filling roles across multiple sectors.<\/p>\n<h6 data-start=\"580\" data-end=\"641\">Science, Engineering &amp; Tech Dominate Recruitment Gaps<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"643\" data-end=\"793\">41% of all difficult-to-fill vacancies reported fall within the science, engineering and technology sectors. Demand remains high for:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"1317\">\n<li data-start=\"795\" data-end=\"994\">\n<p data-start=\"797\" data-end=\"994\">ICT professionals: Software developers, cybersecurity experts, DevOps engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, data scientists, and network engineers are at the top of recruiters\u2019 lists.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"995\" data-end=\"1155\">\n<p data-start=\"997\" data-end=\"1155\">Engineering roles: Employers struggle to fill positions in quality assurance, process and manufacturing engineering, EHS, validation, automation, and R&amp;D.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1156\" data-end=\"1317\">\n<p data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1317\">Life sciences and pharma: Regulatory compliance experts, lab scientists, packaging operatives, and maintenance technicians are among those in short supply.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6 data-start=\"1324\" data-end=\"1368\">Construction Sector Shortages Worsen<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"1370\" data-end=\"1635\">The construction industry accounts for 28% of hard-to-fill roles. Project managers, site engineers, EHS officers, BIM specialists, and quantity surveyors remain in high demand, alongside skilled trades such as carpenters, electricians, welders, and scaffolders.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1637\" data-end=\"1830\">Recruitment agencies report the shortage of junior and mid-level talent is compounded by housing shortages, with rising emigration impacting the availability of younger workers in the industry.<\/p>\n<h6 data-start=\"1837\" data-end=\"1893\">Transport, Finance, and Healthcare Also Affected<\/h6>\n<ul data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"2369\">\n<li data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"2062\">\n<p data-start=\"1897\" data-end=\"2062\">Transport &amp; Logistics (11%): Rigid and artic drivers, warehouse operatives, mechanics, EV technicians, and logistics managers top the list of hard-to-fill roles.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2063\" data-end=\"2209\">\n<p data-start=\"2065\" data-end=\"2209\">Financial Services (10%): Financial and tax accountants, compliance officers, data analysts, and payroll administrators are in short supply.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2210\" data-end=\"2369\">\n<p data-start=\"2212\" data-end=\"2369\">Healthcare (5%): Recruitment difficulties persist for nurses, radiographers, healthcare assistants, and consultants \u2014 especially in psychiatric medicine.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6 data-start=\"2376\" data-end=\"2441\">Hiring Trends: A Shift Toward Flexibility and Soft Skills<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"2443\" data-end=\"2739\">Recruitment agencies noted a trend among employers toward hiring for potential over experience, with 59% of difficult-to-fill roles open to candidates with three years or less experience. Only 22% of roles required more than five years of experience, typically for senior-level positions.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2741\" data-end=\"2780\">The soft skills most in demand include:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"2862\">\n<li data-start=\"2782\" data-end=\"2799\">\n<p data-start=\"2784\" data-end=\"2799\">Communication<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2800\" data-end=\"2814\">\n<p data-start=\"2802\" data-end=\"2814\">Leadership<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2815\" data-end=\"2831\">\n<p data-start=\"2817\" data-end=\"2831\">Adaptability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2832\" data-end=\"2851\">\n<p data-start=\"2834\" data-end=\"2851\">Problem-solving<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2852\" data-end=\"2862\">\n<p data-start=\"2854\" data-end=\"2862\">Teamwork<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2864\" data-end=\"2952\">These transversal competencies are increasingly seen as essential across all industries.<\/p>\n<h6 data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"3011\">Salaries &amp; Work Conditions Play Pivotal Role<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"3013\" data-end=\"3229\">In response to rising competition, 64% of employers offered higher salaries for roles considered hard to fill, especially those identified in the 2024 <em data-start=\"3168\" data-end=\"3194\">National Skills Bulletin<\/em> as experiencing chronic shortages.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"3231\" data-end=\"3425\">Permanent contracts dominate (58%), but contract and hybrid arrangements are becoming more prevalent as companies adapt. Recruiters reported that job seekers are placing greater emphasis on:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3561\">\n<li data-start=\"3427\" data-end=\"3461\">\n<p data-start=\"3429\" data-end=\"3461\">Remote and hybrid work options<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3462\" data-end=\"3481\">\n<p data-start=\"3464\" data-end=\"3481\">Competitive pay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3482\" data-end=\"3498\">\n<p data-start=\"3484\" data-end=\"3498\">Job security<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3499\" data-end=\"3541\">\n<p data-start=\"3501\" data-end=\"3541\">Professional development opportunities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3542\" data-end=\"3561\">\n<p data-start=\"3544\" data-end=\"3561\">Perks and bonuses<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6 data-start=\"3568\" data-end=\"3619\">International Talent: Barriers &amp; Incentives<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"3621\" data-end=\"4025\">While companies are increasingly offering relocation packages and incentives to attract overseas talent, challenges persist. Rising living costs and a lack of suitable accommodation are proving to be major deterrents for international candidates. Only 26% of difficult-to-fill roles were filled entirely by Irish candidates, with the rest requiring talent sourced from both within and outside the EU.<\/p>\n<h6 data-start=\"4032\" data-end=\"4088\">Emerging Trends: Green &amp; Digital Skills in Focus<\/h6>\n<p data-start=\"4090\" data-end=\"4268\">Sustainability-related roles are beginning to rise in importance, with recruiters noting growing demand for environmental, health and safety staff and emerging positions such as:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"4270\" data-end=\"4342\">\n<li data-start=\"4270\" data-end=\"4288\">\n<p data-start=\"4272\" data-end=\"4288\">Energy traders<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4289\" data-end=\"4316\">\n<p data-start=\"4291\" data-end=\"4316\">Sustainability officers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4317\" data-end=\"4342\">\n<p data-start=\"4319\" data-end=\"4342\">Heads of sustainability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"4344\" data-end=\"4484\">Digital readiness is also becoming a prerequisite across sectors, particularly due to the continued popularity of remote and hybrid working.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1099\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/a.storyblok.com\/f\/70398\/x\/16b38e96de\/solas-recruitment-agency-survey.pdf\">Download The Survey Here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p data-start=\"1497\" data-end=\"1687\">Check out live roles now on\u00a0<a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"3324\" data-end=\"3360\">Recruit.ie<\/a>\u00a0or visit an upcoming Jobs Expo to meet top employers in person.<\/p>\n<article class=\"text-token-text-primary w-full\" dir=\"auto\" data-testid=\"conversation-turn-120\" data-scroll-anchor=\"true\">\n<div class=\"text-base my-auto mx-auto py-5 [--thread-content-margin:--spacing(4)] @[37rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(6)] @[72rem]:[--thread-content-margin:--spacing(16)] px-(--thread-content-margin)\">\n<div class=\"[--thread-content-max-width:32rem] @[34rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @[64rem]:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto flex max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 text-base gap-4 md:gap-5 lg:gap-6 group\/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n<div class=\"group\/conversation-turn relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-col gap-1 md:gap-3\">\n<div class=\"flex max-w-full flex-col grow\">\n<div class=\"min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&amp;]:mt-5\" dir=\"auto\" data-message-author-role=\"assistant\" data-message-id=\"2909506c-ff44-4b31-b123-a5492f3c0b1d\" data-message-model-slug=\"gpt-4o\">\n<div id=\"div_block-68-170909-1\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-68-170909\">\n<div id=\"div_block-71-170909-1\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-71-170909\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"image-78-170909-1\" class=\"ct-image lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa-300x202.jpg 300w\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa.jpg 683w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Galmont-Hotel-Spa-300x202.jpg 300w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" data-id=\"image-78-170909\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 id=\"headline-85-170909-1\" class=\"ct-headline event-title\" data-id=\"headline-85-170909\"><span id=\"span-92-170909-1\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-92-170909\">Jobs Expo Galway<\/span><\/h5>\n<div id=\"text_block-35-170909-1\" class=\"ct-text-block event-date\" data-id=\"text_block-35-170909\"><span id=\"span-103-170909-1\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-103-170909\">Saturday, September 13th, 10AM<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"text_block-36-170909-1\" class=\"ct-text-block event-price\" data-id=\"text_block-36-170909\"><span id=\"span-109-170909-1\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-109-170909\">Free<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"link_text-58-170909-1\" class=\"ct-link-text \" title=\"Register and get your tickets to the event\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbookings.com\/b\/event\/jobs-expo-galway-13th-september-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-id=\"link_text-58-170909\">Book Now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"div_block-68-170909-2\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-68-170909\">\n<div id=\"div_block-71-170909-2\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-71-170909\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"image-78-170909-2\" class=\"ct-image lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick.jpg\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-1024x469.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-768x351.jpg 768w\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick.jpg\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick.jpg 1250w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-1024x469.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/jobsexpo-limerick-768x351.jpg 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1250px) 100vw, 1250px\" data-id=\"image-78-170909\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 id=\"headline-85-170909-2\" class=\"ct-headline event-title\" data-id=\"headline-85-170909\"><span id=\"span-92-170909-2\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-92-170909\">Jobs Expo Limerick<\/span><\/h5>\n<div id=\"text_block-35-170909-2\" class=\"ct-text-block event-date\" data-id=\"text_block-35-170909\"><span id=\"span-103-170909-2\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-103-170909\">Saturday, Jun 21, 10AM<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"text_block-36-170909-2\" class=\"ct-text-block event-price\" data-id=\"text_block-36-170909\"><span id=\"span-109-170909-2\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-109-170909\">Free<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"link_text-58-170909-2\" class=\"ct-link-text \" title=\"Register and get your tickets to the event\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbookings.com\/b\/event\/jobs-expo-limerick-21st-june-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-id=\"link_text-58-170909\">Book Now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"div_block-68-170909-3\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-68-170909\">\n<div id=\"div_block-71-170909-3\" class=\"ct-div-block\" data-id=\"div_block-71-170909\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" id=\"image-78-170909-3\" class=\"ct-image lazyloaded\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915.png\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-1024x536.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-768x402.png 768w\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915.png\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-1024x536.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.jobsexpo.ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/ConstructionJobsExpo2025artwork-1200x628px-RAP-BC-31Mar2025-43915-768x402.png 768w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-id=\"image-78-170909\" \/><\/p>\n<h5 id=\"headline-85-170909-3\" class=\"ct-headline event-title\" data-id=\"headline-85-170909\"><span id=\"span-92-170909-3\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-92-170909\">Construction Jobs Expo<\/span><\/h5>\n<div id=\"text_block-35-170909-3\" class=\"ct-text-block event-date\" data-id=\"text_block-35-170909\"><span id=\"span-103-170909-3\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-103-170909\">Saturday, June 7th, 11AM<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"text_block-36-170909-3\" class=\"ct-text-block event-price\" data-id=\"text_block-36-170909\"><span id=\"span-109-170909-3\" class=\"ct-span\" data-id=\"span-109-170909\">Free<\/span><\/div>\n<p><a id=\"link_text-58-170909-3\" class=\"ct-link-text \" title=\"Register and get your tickets to the event\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbookings.com\/b\/event\/construction-jobs-expo-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-id=\"link_text-58-170909\">Book Now<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Recruitment agencies across Ireland are continuing to face significant challenges in sourcing skilled talent, with the latest Recruitment Agency Survey conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) at SOLAS revealing a widespread difficulty in filling roles across multiple sectors. Science, Engineering &amp; Tech Dominate Recruitment Gaps 41% of all difficult-to-fill vacancies reported &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/recruitment-agencies-highlight-persistent-skills-shortages-across-key-sectors-in-ireland\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Recruitment Agencies Highlight Persistent Skills Shortages Across Key Sectors in Ireland<\/span> Read More &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":6899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","content-type":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set"},"categories":[47],"tags":[204],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6895"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6895"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6895\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6901,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6895\/revisions\/6901"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.recruit.ie\/careers\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}