Ireland’s employment rate saw a 48% record high in 2021
Job placements in Ireland registered a record high in 2021 with an annual rise of 48%, according to research from Irish recruitment firm Sigmar Recruitment.
The latest figures topped all previous results — whether annual, quarterly or monthly — with December 2021 reported as the “best single month ever” in Sigmar’s 20-year history.
Sigmar noted that the unprecedented growth in demand and the impeded supply of international talent are causing the Irish labor market to rise.
However, Sigmar Founding Director and Chief Commercial Officer Robert Mac Giolla Phádraig said that the “single biggest threat to the Irish economy” this year will be the talent shortages.
He stated that the Omicron COVID-19 variant resulted in two distinctive labor trends — “(1) supply of labor and (2)shortage of skills.”
“High touch economy” that needs on-site workers — such as construction, logistics, retail, and hospitality — is currently experiencing severe labor shortages.
Meanwhile, sectors belonging to “low-touch economy” where remote work is applicable is “experiencing greater churn” due to more opportunities for skilled workers, motivation and identity shift, and desire for flexibility.
