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.

However, half of the companies surveyed want to see more engagement between higher education and industry, and 36% said they have recruited graduates from non-Irish colleges. Many blamed an insufficient number of Irish graduates, particularly in computing, as the main reason for doing so.

Concerns were identified about graduates’ abilities to effectively communicate, especially in writing, and about graduates having the “right attitude”.

The report for the HEA was designed with the help of employers’ bodies Ibec, Isme, Small Firms’ Association, Chambers Ireland, and American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

HEA chairman John Hennessy, also chair of telecoms company Ericsson Ireland, said the results indicate the Irish education system is producing the kind of skilled people needed to underpin future development.

“It is particularly welcome that industry recognises this, but we can’t be complacent and it is clear that higher education and industry must find more and better ways for communication and collaboration between the sectors,” said Mr Hennessy.

The findings emerge as future graduates weigh up their options for the completion of CAO forms ahead of the Feb 1 deadline. With thousands likely to apply for college courses by next Sunday to avail of a reduced fee of €25, the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals is advising them to pick carefully.

“Students should choose courses that best suit their skills and interests, rather than opting for high-points programmes to impress family and peers and even courses that offer the most direct route to today’s jobs market,” said NAPD director Clive Byrne.

“In three or four years, the jobs market could be very different so, unless students are especially interested in specialist courses, a more generalist programme such as humanities or science can keep their options open at this stage.”