Skill shortages see 36% of bosses hire overseas

Employers are mostly satisfied with Irish graduates but more than a third are still recruiting overseas because of skills shortages.

The findings from a survey of more than 400 Irish and foreign-owned companies were welcomed by the Higher Education Authority, which commissioned the study to help inform changes needed in the third-level sector.

Three-quarters of companies were confident that graduates have the right workplace and transferable skills, and have knowledge of the relevant subjects or disciplines for their jobs. Despite many public concerns from industry leaders of recent years, more than 80% of firms said they were satisfied with the calibre of science and maths graduates.