12 Most In-Demand Skills in Ireland for 2025

Ireland has a fast-paced economy with a growth rate expectation of 1.2% in 2024 and 3.6% in 2025. With the economic growth, there are massive opportunities to find a job in various sectors. However, the country grapples with a significant skills shortage, impacting industries like healthcare, construction, and IT.

For instance, in the healthcare sector, staffing shortages have led to extended patient wait times in Dublin hospitals. Meanwhile, the construction industry faces delays in housing projects due to a 40% shortfall in skilled carpenters and electricians. Even in technology-driven sectors like AI and cybersecurity, businesses struggle to find talent, with some roles remaining unfilled for months. 

Under Project Ireland 2040, the country also aims for thousands of new jobs, improving social amenities, and ensuring environmental sustainability. The project has combined the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan 2021-2030 to reach these goals. This ambitious plan highlights the need for upskilling and reskilling initiatives to bridge the talent gap and prepare the workforce for future demands.

Businesses are looking to hire skilled workers, but more than 8 in 10 report difficulties in finding the right talent marking the highest difficulty level in two decades, according to ManpowerGroup's tracking of talent shortages. The rise in job-hopping among employees and increasing salary expectations further exacerbate this issue.

This blog explores the top in-demand skills in Ireland, the challenges associated with talent shortages, and actionable steps to upskill for a thriving career in this dynamic job market.

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Which skills are In demand in Ireland?

Ireland faces a talent shortage across industries, leading to a low hire rate. Skills in demand in Ireland include expertise in AI, engineering, sales, and construction.

1. Information Technology Skills

Ireland is popular for being a technological sector hub in the European region, with several roles available. However, currently, there is a gap in the skills and the number of jobs in the IT sector. The gap in the tech talent shortage may increase further by the end of 2024. This has been a concern of many policymakers, industry leaders, and educational institutions.

Several roles for IT support engineers, cybersecurity professionals, IT department administrators, and data analysts are available for those who have the skills.

2. Cloud Computing Skills

The adoption of cloud computing in Ireland has surged, with 52% of enterprises utilizing cloud services in 2023, up from 45% in 2021. This growth is driven by the need for scalable IT solutions, cost efficiency, and enhanced data management capabilities. Notably, a 10% increase in cloud adoption by the Irish public sector could yield economic benefits of €473 million annually.

The economic impact of cloud computing is further evidenced by investments from major providers. Amazon Web Services (AWS) has contributed over €11.4 billion to the Irish economy since 2012, supporting more than 10,000 jobs annually. This influx of investment underscores the demand for professionals skilled in cloud technologies to manage and optimize these platforms.

To meet this demand, educational institutions and training providers are expanding cloud computing curricula. Programs focusing on platforms like AWS and Microsoft Azure equip professionals with the necessary skills to design, deploy, and manage cloud infrastructure. Such expertise is essential for organizations aiming to enhance operational efficiency and drive innovation in Ireland's competitive business landscape.

3. AI Skills

As per the Talent Tracker report, the need for AI professionals is at an all-time high, with a 142% increase. Many sectors, like teaching, marketing, and design, leverage AI to boost productivity. As per Storm Technology research, 59% of businesses are adopting AI technology to be competitive and not lose market share. 

These businesses in Ireland are focusing on gaining from the potential of AI. Currently, their biggest challenge is finding the right talent equipped with technological knowledge.

Even the limited talent pool is concentrated in Dublin, with about 63% of the AI professionals located there. This leaves other regions with a massive skill gap. There is more demand for AI expertise in cities other than Dublin in sectors like banking, technology, and pharmaceuticals.

4. Cybersecurity Skills

As Ireland's digital landscape expands, the demand for cybersecurity professionals has surged. Between 2019 and 2022, job postings in this sector increased from 2,000 to 6,700, reflecting a significant rise in cyber threats. Notably, only 28% of Irish companies have implemented robust cybersecurity measures, underscoring the urgent need for skilled experts.

The cybersecurity market in Ireland is projected to grow by 7.91% annually from 2024 to 2029, reaching a market volume of US$812.70 million by 2029. This growth is driven by increased investment in cybersecurity infrastructure and the rising need for advanced security solutions.

5. Teaching Skills

Ireland has a major teaching staff shortage going on at the post-primary level in schools. This is proven by the Irish National Teachers’ Organization INTO survey, which shows a high number of vacancies in the teaching field. Some major subjects like economics, math, metalwork, engineering, and science don’t have professional teachers.

Ireland’s index of school staff shortage is 0.08%, leaving the burden of teaching on few professionals. This index is used to measure the gap between the number of available skilled teachers and the number required to meet the current demands. The low index indicates low number of teaching positions filled in comparison to the vacancies. 

Coupled with skill shortages, there has also been a demographic change with the aging population. About 88.09% of teachers voluntarily retired in 2021, with the most common retirement age being 60. 

6. Construction Skills

As per a study at the Technological University of the Shannon, Ireland has a shortage of skilled labor in the construction sector, which will be more pronounced by the end of 2030. Some of the most impacted areas include designing, plumbing, and carpentering. Moreover, there's about a 30-40% deficit in skilled labor for positions of quantity surveyors and structural experts. 

The same study shows 284,000 skilled workers will be needed for construction in the country. Around 164,000 existing workers need retraining. Many organizations are looking for new skills in project management, surveying, and technical capabilities.

7. Sales Skills

81% of Irish employers are struggling to hire skilled talent, with several businesses dealing with acute shortages. The sales and marketing companies reported a 20% shortage of skilled staff, with vacancies remaining empty for a long time. Many roles require more than basic skills for marketing jobs, and companies are not settling for unskilled people. 

Moreover, the skills requirement for sales professionals is also evolving, leading to a bigger skills gap. Many employers are looking for professionals with better communication and digital literacy. They want someone who's adaptable and flexible with the changing demands of the job.

8. Digital Health Innovation Skills

Ireland hosts a strong cluster of MedTech and pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare delivery is being reshaped by connected devices, remote monitoring, and data platforms. MedTech and digital health innovation skills blend product design, regulatory awareness, clinical workflows, usability, and data privacy. Professionals need to understand how devices, apps, and cloud services interact in real clinical environments. The EU’s digital landscape still has gaps: in 2023, only about 56% of Europeans aged 16–74 had at least basic digital skills.

For Irish employers, closing this skills gap around digital health is crucial to keep attracting high-value MedTech investments, enable telehealth innovation, and ensure products developed in Ireland are ready for the highly regulated global healthcare market.

9. Finance Skills

As per a finance report by Expert Group on Future Skills, there is a substantial gap of skilled professionals in the finance sector. By 2027, there is a need to hire 6,000 and 9,000 professionals to fill the gap for smooth operations. The suggested number may help in stronger financial growth of various departments. 

“We need to ensure that not only do we have enough skilled workers to meet the needs of the finance sector, but also that there are skills, qualifications, education and training programmes in place to ensure that we have a pipeline of talent that can allow the sector to thrive not only now, but into the future.”

Neale Richmond

Minister of State for Financial Services
Credit Unions and Insurance.

The current employment rate is over 53,000, showing that 4,000 lack the required skills to fulfill their jobs. Most of the gaps are observed in areas like fintech, asset management, investment, and international banking.

10. Advanced Biopharma Skills

There is a global shortage of drivers, as per the World Road Transport Organization research, and more than 7 million empty driver positions are expected by 2028. The same report found 3 million vacant truck driver jobs in 36 countries studied in the survey. Meanwhile, Ireland has a shortage of HGV drivers. 

Apart from this, about 30% of drivers are expected to retire by 2026, leaving more vacancies for skilled drivers. The rise in retired drivers will also add more to the driver shortage in Ireland. 

11. Hospitality Skills

Ireland is a major global hub for biopharmaceutical production, with many of the world’s top pharma companies operating large facilities there. Advanced biopharma manufacturing and quality control (QC) skills focus on sterile manufacturing, biologics production, GMP compliance, deviation handling, and validation, along with data integrity and digital batch-record systems.

Professionals must understand upstream and downstream processing basics, contamination control, and how to work within highly regulated environments where even small errors can have major consequences. Ireland is home to 9 of the world’s top 10 pharmaceutical companies, and the pharma/chemicals sector accounts for around 60% of Ireland’s total exports. For employers, building these skills ensures a reliable talent pipeline for high-value manufacturing roles, supports regulatory inspections, and helps Ireland maintain its position as one of the world’s most important locations for complex, high-margin biopharma production.

12. Engineering Skills

As per Engineers Ireland’s latest employers’ survey, there has been a shortage of skilled engineers. 72% of survey members consider that engineers do not have the appropriate skills to take on the job. There is a need for engineering experts in the county, with more than 8,000 jobs already generated in 2023. 

Some in-demand engineering skills in Ireland include construction, software, electrical, and civil engineering. Upskilling in these areas, even with vocational courses, can be a game changer in one’s career. 

How to Improve Your Skills for Ireland’s Job Market

The Irish government promotes skill enhancement by making vocational courses accessible to all. Here are some of them to improve your skills for your dream job: 

• Vocational Education and Training in Europe: The institute offers 25 Craft apprenticeships in fields like electrical, construction, motor, and engineering and 37 apprenticeships in ICT, logistics, property service, finance, hospitality and food, and sales. You may also choose the Specific Skills Training(SST) for initial vocational education and training(IVET) or continuing vocational education and training (CVET).  These courses are flexible and may be tailored to individual needs. 

• FET Courses: Further education and training(FET) courses are available to develop skills in the industrial and commercial sectors. Pick from full-time, part-time, online, and evening courses at your convenience. Use the course finder to pick the specific course. Courses include bridging foundation, specific skills, traineeship, apprenticeship and blended learning courses.

• Human Capital Initiative (HCI): Find courses to upskill and re skill in fields such as cybersecurity, environment sciences, biochemistry, construction, information and communications technology (ICT), and data analytics. Choose from various apprenticeships and development programs. Students who satisfy the eligibility criteria can access Pillar 1 programs for free. 

Conclusion

Ireland's economic growth and rise in job demands are offering positions in several sectors, such as finance, construction, hospitality, and engineering. Vocational training programs provide industry-specific courses and education that enable a person to get the right experience for better jobs. 

Upskilling teams in the workplace is an effective way to address the skills needed in Ireland. Identifying gaps in in-demand skills and pursuing vocational courses ensures the workforce is equipped to meet the evolving demands of the job market. 

Partnering with the right training providers for corporate training is the key to workforce development and learning about new technology and upskilling. For businesses wanting a reliable partner in skill development, we recommend Edstellar with its industry-focused training courses. Moreover, Edstellar offers tools like the Skill Matrix for easy gap analysis for choosing tailored executive coaching.