New data from IrishJobs.ie reveals the top in-demand professions of 2024, showcasing the growing needs across key sectors such as construction, finance, healthcare, and technology. The findings highlight not only the resurgence of traditional roles but also the growing importance of specialized skills in emerging industries.
Top 5 Most In-Demand Professionals
- Site Managers
Leading the list, demand for Site Managers surged by 39% year-on-year (Y-o-Y), reflecting the construction sector’s rapid expansion. - Accountants
Accounting professionals held the second spot, maintaining their vital role in supporting businesses across all sectors. - Site Engineers
Demand for Site Engineers grew by 15% Y-o-Y, emphasizing the importance of technical expertise in construction projects. - Project Managers
With demand up 10% Y-o-Y, Project Managers ranked fourth, highlighting their critical role in ensuring timely and efficient project delivery. - Nurses
Healthcare’s enduring importance placed Nurses in fifth position, showcasing ongoing recruitment challenges in the sector.
Diversity
The list of most in-demand roles in 2024 underscores the diversity of Ireland’s job market:
- Construction Professionals Dominate:
The construction sector accounted for five of the top 10 most sought-after roles, including Quantity Surveyors (6th), Engineers (7th), Senior Site Engineers (10th), and Electricians (9th). Electricians, appearing in the top 10 for the first time, highlight the increasing demand for skilled trades. - Healthcare and Finance Hold Strong:
Nurses placed 5th, while Financial Accountants ranked 7th despite dropping from 3rd place last year.
Sector-Specific Trends
The IrishJobs TalentBank data, based on searches within its 1.4 million-strong CV database, reveals broader trends shaping Ireland’s workforce:
- Construction: With five roles in the top 10, the sector continues to grapple with a skills shortage amid a booming housing and infrastructure market.
- IT and Technology: Automation Engineers topped the list of IT roles, reflecting the rapid adoption of AI technologies.
- Science: Data Scientists led demand in the science sector, emphasizing the value of data-driven decision-making.
- Banking: Risk Managers emerged as the most sought-after role, highlighting a focus on stability in uncertain markets.
- Manufacturing: QC Analysts were in high demand as quality assurance remains central to production processes.
- Finance: Finance Business Partners secured top rankings, underscoring the sector’s focus on strategic financial planning.
Construction Sector
The construction sector’s dominance in the rankings aligns with IrishJobs’ earlier Jobs Index, which indicated that the proportion of new vacancies in construction is edging out IT for the first time. As Site Managers, Engineers, and Electricians take centre stage, the industry faces increasing pressure to address its skills shortage through training and recruitment initiatives.
Looking Ahead
The data from 2024 paints a picture of a dynamic and evolving job market, with both traditional and emerging roles shaping Ireland’s employment landscape. For job seekers, these insights offer a roadmap to aligning skills with demand, while employers can leverage the trends to refine recruitment strategies and attract top talent.
The most in-demand roles, spanning construction, healthcare, finance, and technology, underscore the interconnected nature of Ireland’s growing economy and the opportunities available for professionals across all sectors.
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