10% more professional opportunities available in September 2015 compared to the same month last year

Highlights Overall:

• Nationally, 10% more professional opportunities available in September 2015 compared to the same month last year.

• 4% more professional jobs came to market in September compared to the previous month.

• 20% increase in the number of professionals entering the jobs market, compared to September 2014.

• Within IT, the demand for Java developers has risen considerably over the last three months, with the requirement for talent spread equally between the Multinational and SME sector.

• There was strong growth in Big Data related positions this month.

• Increase in demand for newly qualified accountants – small and medium sized practices face challenges to attract trainee and graduate talent.

• The positive start to 2015 for regional jobs growth has continued throughout the year, driven by financial services, life sciences and professional services sector growth.
Regional Insights:

• Professional job vacancies almost double in Cork compared to September 2014 while Limerick sees an increase of 21% compared to the same month last year.

• Technical engineering professionals within the Life Sciences sectors are in high demand regionally – the scope and range of roles on offer is attracting candidates from Dublin and internationally.

• The professional services sector has seen continued growth outside of Dublin as practices hire cross all levels. The traditional accountancy firms are evolving and require a broader skill set than previously from HR to IT, as well as finance, digital analytics and marketing.

• Demand for accountants is high across the country, with multiple job offers for qualified candidates.

• Job flow within the IT sector generally outside of Dublin was up 5% on the previous month

• Regionally the demand continues for core European languages, with particular emphasis on French & German speakers.

The number of professional job vacancies in September 2015 was up by 10% nationally compared to the same month last year according to the September 2015 Morgan McKinley Ireland Employment Monitor. While there was a 20% increase in the number of professionals entering the jobs market this month. Outside of Dublin, jobs growth has moved from a period of recovery to one of steady growth.

Morgan McKinley Ireland, Chief Operations Officer, Karen O’Flaherty, commented:

“The regional jobs market has been characterised by consistent, month-on-month growth this year driven by the financial services, life sciences and professional services sectors.

Ireland remains the location of choice for many international life sciences companies and 2015 has witnessed a regular stream of positive jobs announcements, the majority of which have been outside the major urban centres. As a key target for investment under the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs, the sector is helping to drive balanced growth particularly in the south west and midlands corridor of the country. The scope, seniority and range of roles on offer is attracting professionals both from Dublin and further afield.

We’re seeing increased demand for Big Data related positions as companies move to transition from more traditional relational database management systems such as SQL to newer Big Data alternatives. This is resulting in continued demand for software developers and QA professionals. Meanwhile management consultancy and professional service providers are delivering and developing these new technologies and as a result are seeking to recruit professionals with analytical, R&D, design and business process experience.

We are seeing a continuation in tech where there is a huge demand for permanent positions in niche areas like Java, with not enough professionals available to fill the positions. For those that are moving, the entire benefits package is key with tech employees looking for packages that include bonuses, flexibility to work from home as well as healthcare on offer. Recruitment strategies are currently focused on overseas markets to source candidates.

Accountancy and finance professionals are highly sought after both by the Big Four and small – medium sized practices in Cork, Limerick and Waterford. The smaller practices are struggling to attract both trainees and graduates, with more and more of them developing co-operative programmes to engage with potential employees earlier than previously. We are also seeing a higher proportion of graduates than is traditional move directly to industry rather than practice. This is again putting pressure on the small to medium sized practice.