Manufacturing labour demand up 43%: BoI index

Demand for labour in the manufacturing sector was 43% higher in the first quarter of this year than the last quarter of 2005, according to the latest Bank of Ireland Business Banking Job Index.

Despite fears about the long-term prospects of the sector, the current outlook is positive with 2,925 jobs advertised in the first three months of the year. Compared to the same month last year, 48% more manufacturing jobs were advertised in March.