Ireland has recently gained the reputation of “Silicon Valley of Europe” due to its thriving tech industry and the presence of global tech giants such as Google, Facebook and Apple.
However, behind the scenes Ireland is facing a pressing issue – the IT skills shortage. Research from Indeed has shown that technology companies based in Ireland are struggling to hire within the country’s talent pool. This issue not only impacts the continued growth of Ireland’s tech sector but the country’s economic development overall.
What are the reasons for the IT skills shortage?
1. Increased Demand
Due to the exponential growth of the tech sector, and global giants using Ireland for the home of their EMEA HQ, the demand for tech talent is exceeding the supply of skilled IT professionals, causing a “talent gap”. Some of the main areas facing increasing demand includes Software Development, Data Analytics and Cloud Computing.
2. Competition for Talent
Tech companies in Ireland are not only competing with each other for tech talent, but also from other international tech hubs such as London, Berlin, Paris etc. These jobs may have higher salaries or better benefits, which lures IT professionals away from Ireland.
3. Educational Gap
The number of students graduating in STEM subjects, particularly in IT, is insufficient to meet demand. The government has tried to combat this by encouraging higher and further education colleges to add more attractive courses in this field. In response, Dublin City University has introduced Ireland’s first Master’s in Blockchain to try to combat the skills shortage in this area.
Conclusion
Although the IT skills shortage is a critical challenge that demands immediate attention, it also presents an opportunity for Ireland to reshape its workforce and education system. By encouraging young people to study STEM subjects, upskilling the existing IT workforce and encouraging IT professionals to stay in Ireland, it is possible to decrease the IT skills shortage.
If you are an employer in Ireland who is struggling to find IT candidates, or if you are a tech professional who is looking for their next job (contract or permanent), Reperio can help you! Give our office a call on +353 1 571 3000.
Written by Michelle Corry