{"id":3739,"date":"2018-10-30T09:28:59","date_gmt":"2018-10-30T14:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=3739"},"modified":"2018-10-31T09:31:12","modified_gmt":"2018-10-31T14:31:12","slug":"twenty-three-counties-report-growth-in-job-vacancies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=3739","title":{"rendered":"Twenty Three Counties Report Growth in Job Vacancies"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The number of job vacancies are up in 23 counties across the country, according to the latest IrishJobs.ie<\/a> index for the third quarter of this year.<\/p>\n

Almost every county and major city experienced growth in job vacancies compared to the same period last year, with Dublin seeing a 19% increase.<\/p>\n

The data shows that vacancies increased by 5% in Cork and Galway, 2% Limerick.<\/p>\n

Counties with large urban populations, including Waterford (27%), Sligo (15%) and Kilkenny (10%) have all seen double digit growth year on year.<\/p>\n

Other counties to experience significant growth include Meath (40%), Wicklow (38%), Carlow (36%), Westmeath (28%), Kildare (25%), Laois (22%) and Louth (20%).<\/p>\n

Overall, job vacancies increased by 4% year-on-year but declined by 1% quarter-on-quarter.<\/p>\n

According to Safann MacCarthy, European Marketing Director at IrishJobs.ie<\/a>‘s parent company Saongroup.com<\/a>, the data suggests that Ireland\u2019s economy is growing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the majority of cases, more job vacancies are a strong indicator that Ireland\u2019s economy remains on an upwards trajectory. Businesses are confident, investing in growth, and in doing so, creating jobs,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA problem arises if these vacancies are not filled.<\/p>\n

“This can be a short-term issue, particularly if an area is the recipient of new, rapid investment and growing faster than employees can be found.<\/p>\n

“This may be the case in areas like Longford, with the construction of a new Center Parcs resort, and in Limerick, which has quickly ascended to third city status in Ireland as a result of continued investment from medical and technology companies.<\/p>\n

“IDA have also made strides in attracting multinational companies to towns like Sligo and Waterford, which have seen significant growth in recent years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Growth by sector<\/strong><\/p>\n

The index also shows that the public sector recorded the highest year-on-year increase in job vacancies (53%) in Q3 2018, followed by the medical professionals and healthcare sector (28%) and social and not for profit (27%).<\/p>\n

The high-skilled accountancy and finance and science, pharmaceuticals and food sectors also recorded increases (15% and 9%).<\/p>\n

The hotel and catering sector had the largest share of the jobs market during that period, with 27% of job vacancies.<\/p>\n

Sales followed with 7%; construction, architecture and property, engineering, and utilities ranked third with 6%.<\/p>\n

However, vacancies in banking, financial services and insurance declined by 17% year-on-year. There were also declines in IT (18%), telecoms (20%) and publishing, media and creative arts (44%).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is fantastic to see the increase in vacancies for a wide range of roles across the public sector,” said Ms MacCarthy.<\/p>\n

“Ireland\u2019s economy is diversified and greatly represented by high-tech, highly skilled sectors.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is also approaching full employment. While a welcome change from the jobs market of ten years ago, this situation poses its own challenges.<\/p>\n

“The labor market is extremely tight and businesses are in a ferocious competition over talent,” she said.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>