IrishJobs’ research found that hiring in Ireland is becoming increasingly specific, particularly in the area of AI.

IrishJobs has today published new data highlighting Ireland’s hiring trends and patterns. The Hiring Trends Update collected data from more than 500 HR leaders and nearly 1,000 jobseekers in Ireland throughout March and April, as a means of identifying shifting attitudes and actions in the hiring landscape.

The research indicated that 47pc of contributing employers have scaled back their entry-level and graduate hiring, “reflecting the impact of rising costs and increased automation”. More than one-quarter of businesses in Ireland that participated in the research were also found to be hiring for specialised roles in AI. 

Commenting on the findings of the report, Christopher Paye, the country director of the Stepstone Group Ireland with responsibility for IrishJobs, said, “We’re seeing a clear shift toward more strategic hiring, with organisations prioritising business-critical roles that support productivity and long-term competitiveness.

“As hiring becomes more selective, our findings show that employers are prioritising targeted capability-building in specialised functions such as AI and cybersecurity, rather than broad-based expansion. Rising labour costs and advances in AI are also reshaping workforce planning, prompting many employers to rebalance their hiring mix and focus on experienced talent with in-demand skills.”

More than four out of every five employers (83pc) explained that they are restructuring recruitment efforts, to focus instead on roles that fit a particular, strategic function. With two-thirds of employers of the opinion that industry skill needs are rapidly evolving, specialist roles were found to be increasingly  “where hiring budgets are focused” by companies. 

The data suggests that almost 30pc of firms in Ireland are hiring for highly specialised roles in AI and machine learning, and the technical skills that are in high demand across a range of industries include cybersecurity talent (22pc), technology and engineering talent (23pc) and skills in sales and development (24pc).

Slow and steady

Despite the slower pace in the hiring of entry-level and graduate jobseekers, IrishJobs’ research also shows that the jobs market is resilient, even in the midst of elevated economic and geopolitical instability. Almost half (46pc) of employers have plans to increase hiring in the coming months. 

The report said, “This positive hiring sentiment is highest among large organisations, with 54pc expecting to increase hiring in Q2 and Q3 this year. In contrast, only 35pc of small businesses plan on increasing hiring levels, reflecting a more cautious outlook on future growth.”

Notably, despite recent high-profile layoffs by large technology multinationals – such as LinkedIn, CloudFlare and Meta – IrishJobs’ research discovered that 56pc of employers in the IT and telecoms sector have increased their hiring over the last six months.

Employers in professional services (51pc), construction (48pc) and manufacturing (42pc) sectors also indicated plans to increase hiring in the second half of the year. 

Commenting on the findings, Julius Probst, a labour economist for the Stepstone Group Ireland, said: “Despite a major energy shock and elevated geopolitical uncertainty, economic indicators show that the Irish economy is navigating these challenges well and continues to experience domestic growth. 

“The Spring Economic Forecast recently published by the Government sets out a number of scenarios for the Irish economy over the coming months, depending on the depth and duration of the conflict in the Middle East. In all scenarios, the economy is expected to continue to grow, but at a slower pace, with inflation increasing. 

“Unemployment is expected to remain under 5pc, backed by strong, though slowing, employment growth. The hiring outlook remains broadly positive, with employers expected to face continuing high levels of competition for talent and strong upward pressure on wage growth.”

Paye added, “For employers, success in the months ahead will depend on the ability to invest in talent development and adapt their hiring strategies to these shifts. More employers will likely take a skills-based approach to hiring, as they look beyond traditional qualifications to identify candidates with the technical and transferable skills needed to adapt in this fast-changing environment. 

“Employers who take a proactive approach to talent planning today will be best positioned to navigate a shifting labour market and sustain growth in the months ahead.”

Don’t miss out on the knowledge you need to succeed. Sign up for the Daily Brief, Silicon Republic’s digest of need-to-know sci-tech news.