Business
Workforce set to top two million
A new survey – carried out by a Galway-based recruitment company – has predicted that the number of people in work will exceed two million by the end of the year.
The current unemployment rate stands at 7.8 per cent – down from 9.8 per cent in just twelve months – and Collins McNicholas, sees that trend continuing.
But in its Quarterly Jobs Market analysis, the recruitment specialists headquartered in Galway believe it could now be at a slower pace as the consequences of Brexit on the Irish economy is still uncertain.
A weakening sterling will hurt Irish exports to Britain, particularly in the agricultural sector.
Tourism will also be affected as British holidaymakers will find it more expensive to visit Ireland, the report warns.
“However, despite the uncertain consequences of Brexit on the Irish economy, foreign direct investment (FDI) is strong and should grow as investors seek to maintain access to the EU markets and avoid the uncertainty over Britain’s status post-Brexit,” said Niall Murray, Managing Director of Collins McNicholas.
The company’s data also shows that domestic demand is steady and growing and high-technology sectors —in particular ICT, biopharmaceuticals and medical devices— are doing well.
Jobseekers with skills in software development, quality or process engineering, or lab analysts will continue to be in strong demand over the next twelve to eighteen months, according to the report.
Graduate output has increased significantly in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subjects and, according to the company, excellent progress has been made in retraining people for jobs in these sectors.
“Springboard alone provided 41 ICT courses in 2015 and will provide 1,800 places in its new selection of ICT courses beginning in September,” said Mr Murray.
Ireland is also an attractive option for some of the brightest international tech talent. “The recent launch of the Tech/Life Ireland initiative, aimed at attracting 3,000 top tech professionals to Ireland per annum, is an example of the creativity and resourcefulness employed to grow the tech industry in Ireland,” said Mr Murray.
The new President of Local Ireland, the association representing local news publishers around the country, is Head of Irish Times Regionals Dan Linehan.
Mr Linehan takes over the presidency from Declan McGuire of the Connacht Tribune. His appointment was confirmed at the recent Annual General Meeting of Local Ireland at Bloomfield House Hotel near Mullingar, Westmeath.
Mr Linehan, who has served as Vice President of the organisation for the last two years, said: “The coming years are a very important time for local publishers with many important issues to be addressed, including the implementation of the Future of Media Commission recommendations, defamation reform, the role and support for local publishers in public service reporting and helping publishers develop commercial digital offerings.”
Speaking at the AGM, Mr McGuire acknowledged the work done by the Executive in the past two years under the direction of Executive Director, Bob Hughes, on several projects related to the publishing industry but most especially the successful conclusion of the long-running campaign for the abolition of VAT on newspapers.
He also wished Mr Linehan the very best in his new role as President of the association for the next two years.
Mr Hughes thanked Mr McGuire for his leadership and support during his term of office and said he looked forward to working with Mr Linehan on the key policy priorities for the association, including Government supports, Government advertising, fair remuneration for content from the tech platforms and the reform of the legislation for defamation.
Local Ireland members also elected Seán Mahon, Managing Director of the Southern Star, as Vice President for the next two years.
The shortage of affordable housing is the single biggest impediment in attracting and retaining workers in the West, according to business group Ibec.
At a ‘Regional Insights Series’ meeting in the Galmont Hotel in Galway last week, employers were told that capacity constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the region.
Ibec Head of Regional Policy Helen Leahy said: “There must be greater focus by government on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure which are driving labour shortages in the region.
“Ibec’s vision for the West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location. An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible.
“Labour shortages are a real concern for businesses in the region. People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” said Ms Leahy.
Amongst Ibec’s priorities for the West are:
- Addressing housing and infrastructure challenges
- Transitioning towards a new growth model with Net Zero energy powered by Atlantic offshore wind resources
- Adapting businesses to the new economic realities
- Enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives
- Investment in people and skills
- Creating competitive advantage through digitalisation
- Innovation as a key driver of productivity growth
One in five Galway businesses want to go fully cashless, as the move towards card payments and tapping continues unabated post-Covid.
In all, 22% of Galway businesses would like to be fully cashless, according to a survey carried out by BOI Payment Acceptance (BOIPA), a provider of payment technology solutions, which asked Irish businesses about the current payment landscape as well as business confidence and concerns.
Over one-third (36%) of Galway businesses were unaware there is no contactless limit on mobile wallets – just below the national average – while 54% believe the increase in card over cash transactions has helped them run their business.
Six out of ten Galway businesses expect to grow this year despite the cost-of-living crisis and running costs dominating as key concerns; 62% believe their business will grow over the next twelve months despite global economic uncertainty.
Unsurprisingly cost-of-living increases and running costs were the main concerns the majority of businesses had.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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