West hit by ‘growing skills shortage’

There is a growing skills shortage in the west of Ireland for construction projects in the medical devices and pharmaceutical sectors, according to Niall Toland,a senior manager with the recruitment firm Hays.

“We have a real problem recruiting engineers, particularly mechanical and electrical engineering candidates,” says Mr Toland.

There are a number of companies in the pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors in the Galway, Athlone, Sligo region that are looking to expand, but are finding it difficult to source the specialised skills to complete the necessary construction projects.