The employment market in Ireland has been witnessing robust growth since the start of 2019, leading to a decline in the country's unemployment rate, which is now at its lowest level since February 2008.

According to the Central Bank, there are optimistic projections of creating an additional 89,000 jobs in the Irish economy over the next two years. This surge in employment will propel the total number of jobs to a record high of 2.3 million. Currently, the employment rate stands at 5.6%, and in 2018 alone, 50,500 people joined the workforce, as reported by the CSO.

Ireland proudly houses several major players in the STEM industry, including:

- 9 out of the top 10 global pharmaceutical companies
- 9 out of the top 10 software companies
- 12 out of the top 15 medical tech companies

Pharmaceutical Sector

The pharmaceutical industry in Ireland is experiencing significant growth, evident through job announcements and expansions by companies like Aerie Pharmaceuticals and Chanelle Pharmaceuticals, who have collectively created 350 new jobs in Galway.

Electronics and Technology Sector

In the electronics and technology industry, Valeo in Galway has recently announced a remarkable investment of €44 million, aiming to establish 50 new R&D positions. This field offers exciting opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology, especially in the realm of autonomous cars. Additionally, EML Payments is expanding its Galway operations and plans to employ 20 individuals, while EMCA, an automation company in Cavan, is set to create 42 new jobs over the next three years.

Ireland is also home to a diverse range of technology companies, including industry giants like Cisco and First Data, as well as successful indigenous firms. The demand for software engineers and developers in this sector is thriving.

Medtech Sector

The medtech sector is witnessing remarkable growth, with Boston Scientific leading the way as a global leader in less invasive medical devices. They offer abundant opportunities in engineering, IT, supply chain, HR, and the science sectors across their three sites in Ireland. Boston Scientific currently employs nearly 6,000 professionals in Ireland and continues to grow and expand, particularly in their Galway facility.

Language Sector

The demand for language-related jobs in Ireland is notably high, with languages such as German, Spanish, and French being in great demand.

Supply Chain Sector

The supply chain and logistics sector is also experiencing a surge in job opportunities, including roles such as buyer/planners, sourcing specialists, demand planners, value stream managers, and supply chain managers. The removal of trade barriers has facilitated increased exports by EU firms, leading to a higher demand for logistics jobs. Consequently, there is a growing need for supply chain specialists with strong negotiation skills to interact effectively with suppliers.

These industries offer a diverse range of job opportunities in Ireland, encompassing manufacturing engineering, quality engineering, R&D engineering, supply chain management, production, and language-related positions.

At HERO Recruitment, we take pride in partnering with some of the world's leading medical device, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing companies.

If you're interested in exploring job opportunities in Ireland, feel free to contact us at our Galway office on +353 91 730022, our Cork office on +353 21 2066287, or our Dublin office on +353 1 6190279.