The latest IrishJobs index for Q1 indicates an 8% decline in IT job openings, reflecting a more stable employment landscape compared to the rapid growth observed during and right after the pandemic.
During the first quarter of 2024, the tech industry accounted for 5.5% of new job announcements, maintaining its position as the leading sector for employment.
As the job market adjusts following the hiring spikes seen post-pandemic, a stabilization is anticipated in vacancy rates. Currently, there’s a 3% decrease in quarterly job openings and a 28% drop year-on-year.
The education sector saw the most significant rise in job openings, with a 24% increase quarter-on-quarter. Furthermore, the engineering and science sectors experienced growth with 11% and 6% more vacancies, respectively.
Compared to last year, there’s been a 7% uptick in job-seeker activity. The index suggests that this trend could offer employers an opportunity to better cater to candidate needs as hiring slows down and more individuals look for employment.
Sam Dooley, the county director of IrishJobs’ parent company Stepstone Group Ireland, has said, “Against this backdrop of continuing growth, the Q1 index suggests a favourable outlook in the jobs market across a broad range of sectors over the coming months, with the lowest quarter-to-quarter decrease in job vacancies over the past six quarters.
“In this environment, it is crucial that employers continue to evolve their talent offering to meet the changing needs of job seekers. Flexible working structures continue to be one of the top areas prioritised by jobseekers and should be considered within employment packages to ensure employers stand out in a competitive recruitment landscape.”
