RECRUITMENT: RecruitIreland.com statistics show jobs upturn across all sectors
Jobs posted increased by 13%, versus the same period in 2013, with job applications and jobseeker applications also registering increases of 15% and 19% respectively.
“It is certainly very positive news, and especially compared to the previous year,” says Ronan O’Callaghan, RecruitIreland.com sales manager. “13% is a significant increase in itself, and this is added to by a 17% jump in the number of companies advertising with us.
"It is not just the case that existing clients are increasing their recruitment, it is that there are new businesses out there actively recruiting as well. Many businesses that may have had a freeze on recruitment over the past number of years are now coming back to us again to source new talent.”
In the quarterly national household survey from the CSO, the national unemployment rate is at 11.1%, down from 11.5% in June. Employment is at its highest level since 2009, and represents an annual increase of 1.5% — or 27,700 extra jobs.
“The trend certainly appears to be positive, and if it continues at current levels, we would see 2015 as being a very good year.”
In the top locations for jobs growth during 2014, RecruitIreland.com stats show Dublin, Cork and Galway notched up increases of 10%, 28% and 7%, followed by Limerick and Clare with 45% and 85%.
“Clare and Limerick are particularly noticeable, and basically represent the Shannon Region,” he explains. “There are a number of multinationals in this region who are recruiting again — companies like Cook Medical and Element Six, which are long established in Ireland and are now actively recruiting again. In the Cork region it is a similar situation with companies like Apple, Tyco and VMware also looking to fill positions.”
With monthly job applications having charted a relentless upward curve throughout the year, ranging from 15% in January to 26% in September, certain sectors have enjoyed a marked increase over others. The science/pharma sector posted a 34% gain, then IT and engineering with 9% and 12%, respectively. Hotel and catering saw a hefty 94% growth.
“Given that the hotel and catering sector would have placed around twelfth on the list in 2013, the jump certainly reflects an industry where recruitment is now very much a reality. It is very positive for the industry as a whole, and we have noticed that the agency side of that sector have been posting a good mix of jobs from senior management to operations on downwards.”
After a strong summer season, hotels and guesthouses are more optimistic about the outlook for Irish tourism; 87% reported increased business levels this year, according to the latest Hotel Barometer from the Irish Hotels Federation.
With overseas visitors up 10%, hotels and guesthouses benefited from increased traffic from all key markets including North America and Britain — both up 11% — as well as the rest of Europe, up 7%. The domestic market is also showing signs of improved performance following years of subdued consumer confidence – very important for the sector as domestic demand accounts for 69% of all hotel bednights.
Some 23,000 jobs were added directly by accommodation and food service businesses over the last three years, with a further 10,000 created indirectly. Tourism now supports approximately 200,000 jobs — 11% of total employment in the country.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
