The November 2025 Difficult-to-Fill Vacancies Survey from SOLAS Learning Works paints a clear and consistent picture of Ireland’s labour market: the economy is operating close to full employment, but critical skills shortages continue to constrain growth across multiple sectors.
The survey, conducted by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), draws on feedback from recruitment agencies nationwide and focuses on roles where demand significantly outstrips supply. The findings confirm that while overall employment remains strong, employers are struggling to source candidates with the right mix of technical expertise, sector knowledge and transferable skills.
Science, Engineering and Technology account for the largest share of reported difficult-to-fill vacancies at 35%. Within ICT, shortages are particularly acute for software developers, cybersecurity specialists, cloud engineers, data analysts and AI-related roles. Engineering vacancies span quality control, automation, manufacturing and electrical disciplines, while life sciences employers continue to seek professionals in regulatory affairs, validation, R&D and environmental health and safety. These roles are central to Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, and persistent gaps here pose a strategic risk to competitiveness and inward investment.
The construction sector, representing 31% of difficult-to-fill vacancies, reflects ongoing pressures linked to housing delivery, infrastructure upgrades and climate-related retrofitting. Employers report shortages across project management, civil and electrical engineering, BIM technicians, quantity surveyors and health and safety specialists. Skilled trades remain in short supply, including carpenters, electricians, pipe layers, scaffolders and plant operators. These shortages continue to slow project timelines and increase costs across both public and private developments.
Transport and logistics account for 12% of reported shortages, driven by demand for HGV drivers, mechanics, warehouse managers, freight forwarders and supply-chain analysts. As e-commerce, exports and just-in-time delivery models expand, the sector is under sustained pressure to attract and retain skilled workers.
The financial sector, at 11%, highlights ongoing demand for accountants, auditors, tax specialists, compliance professionals and payroll experts. Regulatory complexity, digital transformation and international reporting standards are all increasing the skills threshold for these roles.
Finally, healthcare, while representing a smaller share at 6%, remains critically impacted. Shortages persist in nursing, consultancy roles, allied health professionals, healthcare assistants and social care workers—roles that are essential to population wellbeing and public service resilience.
Overall, the survey underscores a tightening labour market where employers increasingly prioritise hybrid skillsets, competitive pay, flexible working, upskilling and employee engagement. Addressing these shortages will require coordinated action across education, training, migration policy and workforce planning to ensure Ireland can meet both current and future skills demands.
