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Labour Market Information

The Labour Market

The labour market is a term used to describe the relationship between the workplace (available employment) and the workforce (people, aged 16 and over, who are working or are available to work). A labour market is said to be healthy if there is enough work available for all those who seek it. Most countries in the world have some difficulty achieving or maintaining a healthy labour market.

In Ireland, as in other countries, the health of our labour market changes over time. In the years up to 2007, we had one of the strongest (healthiest) labour markets in the world. As our economy came under stress, there were less employment opportunities, and a growing imbalance in the number of jobs available to workers with the necessary skills, in some instances too few (e.g. engineers) and in others too many (e.g. builders). Since then the unemployment rate has come down from its peak of 15.1% (2013) to under 8% in mid 2016 and declining, indicating a return to healthier times. [View current trends here].

The following links provide access to the main sources of information from which we determine the state of our labour market. It is worth noting that the predictions and commentries made by economists, researchers and journalists provide information to be considered carefully, but we recommend that any predictions as to the future state of the labour market (2+ years) should be just one factor of many to be considered to guide your choice of career.

View a list of those occupations which are causing difficulties in our labour market from here:


 

Labour Market Research These links are to well established sources of information used to review, evaluate and predict changes in our labour market. Vacancy Overview 2016 - EGFSN  Detailed analysis of labour market indicators, vacancy trends and difficult to fill vacancies from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (May 2017) Addressing the Demand for Skills in the Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics Sector in Ireland 2015 – 2020  February 2015 EGFSN report assessing the skills and competency requirements for the Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics sector in Ireland up to 2020 A Study of the Current and Future Skills Requirements of the Marine/ Maritime Economy to 2020  April 2015 Report from EGFSN assessing profile and diversity of occupations and skills requirements in the Marine/Maritime Economy - aims to ensure the right skills base will be available to meet the needs of the Marine Economy to 2020. Vacancy Overview 2014 - EFGSN  The Vacancy Overview 2014 produced May 2015 by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS on behalf of the EGFSN, draws on data from newly advertised job vacancies in the following sources: DSP Jobs Ireland and IrishJobs.ie. The analysis focuses National Skills Bulletin 2015  The National Skills Bulletin 2015 provides an overview of the Irish labour market at occupational level, drawing on a variety of data sets, which have been systematically gathered in the National Skills Database (NSD) since 2003. Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply  July 2015 report on those entering and leaving the Irish education system (primary, post-primary,further education and training, and higher education) spanning the ten levels of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Regional Labour Markets Bulletin 2015  Annual report produced by the EGFSN which identifies variations in skills supply and demand across 8 regions (Border, Dublin, Mid East, Mid-West, Midland, South East, South West and West). Assessment of Future Skills Requirements in the Hospitality Sector in Ireland 2015-2020  Report from the EGFSN assessing the skills demand within the Hospitality sector in Ireland to 2020 to ensure the right supply of skills to help drive domestic hospitality sector business and employment growth. Vacancy Overview 2015 - EGFSN May 2016  A report produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS for the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs contextualising 2015 vacancy data with what is occurring in the Irish labour market Future Skills Needs of the Biopharma Industry in Ireland August 2016  This report reviews the supply of, and demand for, skills within the Biopharma Industry in Ireland up to 2020, with a specific focus on Biologics manufacturing as a growing sub-sector within the industry. It is estimated that 8,400 potential job openings National Skills Bulletin 2016  The National Skills Bulletin 2016 is the twelfth in an annual series of reports, which has been produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). Regional Labour Markets Bulletin October 2016  A Report prepared by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS. Trends in Education and Training Outputs  Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply - A report by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS for the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs November 2016 Update on Future Skills Needs in the Food and Drink Sector  Food Wise 2025 projects significant growth over the coming years, with a target of 85% exports growth to €19 billion by 2025, as well as an increase of 23,000 jobs over the period. These targets are dependent on successfully addressing the skills needs of Action Plan for Jobs 2015  An Action Plan for Jobs is published every year, setting out clear actions and targets to help create positive conditions for job creation. The current plan was released Feb 2015. Regional Labour Markets Bulletin 2014  Report prepared by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS aimed at providing an analysis of the key labour market indicators for each of Ireland’s eight administrative regions: Border, Dublin, Mid-East, Midland, Mid-West, South-East, South- Assessing the Demand for Big Data and Analytics Skills 2013 - 2020  May 2014 EGFSN report identifying measures to build up the Big Data and analytics talent pool in Ireland over the period up to 2020 in line with enterprise demand. The Green Economy in Ireland (EGFSN)  This study identifies the future skills needs of enterprise engaged within the green economy in Ireland and proposes a range of measures to ensure that their future skills base will drive business and employment growth. The study informs education and tra Addressing Future Demand for High-level ICT Skills (EGFSN)  Study forecasting the demand for high-level ICT skills to 2018, across all sectors of the economy in Ireland. EGFSN - Report for HE Providers on Springboard 2014 / ICT Level 8 Conversion Programme  February 2014 Report "Guidance for Higher Education providers on current and future skills needs of enterprise - Springboard 2014 / ICT Level 8 Conversion Programme" SCSI Employment Opportunities & Skills Requirements for Construction and Property Surveying 2014-18  New report April 2014 from SCSI outlining the Employment Opportunities and Skills Requirements for Construction and Property Surveying projected from 2014-2018 CSO - Central Statistics Office  This is the primary source of statistical information about our population. Several of the reports generated by the CSO provide the basis of most other reports on the Labour Market. Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020  Released Feb 2013 This study addresses the skills requirements of the manufacturing sector in Ireland over the period 2012-2020. The study was developed in tandem with the wider strategy for manufacturing, Making it in Ireland, which is being undertaken b Labour Market Information by occupation  Labour Market Information by occupation produced jointly by SOLAS (formerly FAS) and the EGFSN Forfás - Ireland's national policy and advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation  Forfás provides the Department of Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation (formerly Enterprise, Trade and Employment - DETE) and other stakeholders with analysis, advice and support on issues related to enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation. EGFSN - Expert Group on Future Skills Needs  The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is a body appointed by the Irish Government to advise it on aspects of education and training related to the future skills requirements of the enterprise sector of the Irish economy. HEA - Higher Education Authority  This link points to some of the Statistical data created by the HEA relating to our Higher Education system. Employment Outlook Survey (Manpower)  Measures employers' intentions to increase or decrease the number of employees in their workforce during the next quarter. It is the only forward-looking survey of its kind, unparalleled in its size, scope, longevity and area of focus, based on interviews EU Skills Panorama Website  The EUSP provides National, European and International research findings on labour market, skills shortages and jobs. ESRI - Economic and Social Research Institute  The ESRI is one of Europe's leading research centres in the social sciences. Their main focus is research on economic and social change in Ireland in the new global context.

Current Labour Market related info  These sites provide news of current events that relate to our evolving labour market. IBEC Quarterly Economic Trends  Download publication in PDF format. SCSI Employment Opportunities & Skills Requirements for Construction and Property Surveying 2014-18  New report April 2014 from SCSI outlining the Employment Opportunities and Skills Requirements for Construction and Property Surveying projected from 2014-2018 Shortage of craft/entry level staff in the Hotel Sector  Hotels and guesthouses are experiencing serious difficulties recruiting suitably qualified craft/entry level staff - IHF Annual Conference 24/2/14 National Skills Bulletin 2015  The National Skills Bulletin 2015 provides an overview of the Irish labour market at occupational level, drawing on a variety of data sets, which have been systematically gathered in the National Skills Database (NSD) since 2003. Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020  Released Feb 2013 This study addresses the skills requirements of the manufacturing sector in Ireland over the period 2012-2020. The study was developed in tandem with the wider strategy for manufacturing, Making it in Ireland, which is being undertaken b

Labour Market Commentries These links are to sites web pages that contain commentries and views about aspects of our labour market. Demand for Skills in Construction to 2020  A new report by DKM shows that industry can grow on average by 9% per year up to 2020 but warns of potential skills shortages. National Skills Bulletin 2016  The National Skills Bulletin 2016 is the twelfth in an annual series of reports, which has been produced by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU) in SOLAS on behalf of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). Assessment of Future Skills Requirements in the Hospitality Sector in Ireland 2015-2020  Report from the EGFSN assessing the skills demand within the Hospitality sector in Ireland to 2020 to ensure the right supply of skills to help drive domestic hospitality sector business and employment growth. Regional Labour Markets Bulletin 2015  Annual report produced by the EGFSN which identifies variations in skills supply and demand across 8 regions (Border, Dublin, Mid East, Mid-West, Midland, South East, South West and West). National Skills Bulletin 2015  The National Skills Bulletin 2015 provides an overview of the Irish labour market at occupational level, drawing on a variety of data sets, which have been systematically gathered in the National Skills Database (NSD) since 2003. A Study of the Current and Future Skills Requirements of the Marine/ Maritime Economy to 2020  April 2015 Report from EGFSN assessing profile and diversity of occupations and skills requirements in the Marine/Maritime Economy - aims to ensure the right skills base will be available to meet the needs of the Marine Economy to 2020. Action Plan for Jobs 2015  An Action Plan for Jobs is published every year, setting out clear actions and targets to help create positive conditions for job creation. The current plan was released Feb 2015. Regional Labour Markets Bulletin 2014  Report prepared by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS aimed at providing an analysis of the key labour market indicators for each of Ireland’s eight administrative regions: Border, Dublin, Mid-East, Midland, Mid-West, South-East, South- Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply: Trends in Education and Training Outputs  July 2013 report which gathers all available data on those entering and leaving the Irish education system (primary, post-primary,further education and training, and higher education) spanning the ten levels of the NationalFramework of Qualifications (NFQ Future Skills Requirements of the Biopharma-Pharmachem Sector  The biopharma pharmachem sector has a high economic impact in the Irish economy, providing significant high skilled employment. This report examines trends and drivers of change and potential impact on employment and skills over 2010-2015 Future Skills Requirements of the Manufacturing Sector to 2020  Released Feb 2013 This study addresses the skills requirements of the manufacturing sector in Ireland over the period 2012-2020. The study was developed in tandem with the wider strategy for manufacturing, Making it in Ireland, which is being undertaken b OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development  Economic Survey of Ireland

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