Career Guides

The hottest sectors for Jobs in Ireland and links to courses

Posted on by Seán O'Connor

The National Skills Bulletin is the eleventh in an annual series of Jobs in Ireland reports produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). The Bulletin provides an overview of the Irish labour market at occupational level, by examining a variety of indicators on Jobs in Ireland demand and supply. The report noted that opportunities were particularly strong in the following areas:

  • IT Professionals: software engineers and developers, roles relating to social media, data analytics, senior IT specialists, Software test analysts, quality assurance IT engineers, and web developers etc. Web design particularly web related applications focusing on enhancing users’ online experience (UX) and supporting user interaction (UI).  IT Project Management and Business Analysts
  • Business and Financial Professionals: analysts and consultants, risk managers, accountants, and legal and compliance professionals.
  • Engineers and Scientists: automation engineers, process engineers (chemical), biotechnologists and quality control engineers in high-tech manufacturing sectors.
  • Research & Development: scientists and engineers in IT, energy, life sciences, and marine science/technology.
  • Construction: announcements associated with the development of new (or the expansion of existing) activities, mainly in high technology sectors but also in education, for civil engineers, quantity surveyors and construction project managers.

SOLAS also found that while many of these job announcements for Jobs in Ireland were for high-skill roles, there were also a number of  graduate positions, especially in the high-tech manufacturing, IT and business services.

Growth in STEM Jobs in Ireland

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workers drive our nation’s innovation and competitiveness by generating new ideas, new companies and new industries. However, U.S. businesses frequently voice concerns over the supply and availability of STEM workers. Over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs was three times as fast as growth in non-STEM jobs. STEM workers are also less likely to experience joblessness than their non-STEM counterparts. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics workers play a key role in the sustained growth and stability of the U.S. economy, and are a critical component to helping the U.S. win the future.

  • In 2015, there were 8.7 million STEM workers in the United States, representing 5.9 percent of the total U.S. workforce.
  • STEM occupations are projected to grow by 17.0 percent from 2008 to 2018, compared to 9.8 percent growth for non-STEM occupations.
  • STEM workers command higher wages, earning 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.
  • More than two-thirds of STEM workers have at least a college degree, compared to less than one-third of non-STEM workers.
  • STEM degree holders enjoy higher earnings, regardless of whether they work in STEM or non-STEM occupations.
Links
  • For a full list of CMIT’s IT and Computer courses, please click here.
  • For a full list of CMIT’s Business & Management courses, please click here.
  • For more details see: Forfás National Skills Bulletin 2015.