Engineers Ireland’s latest employers’ survey has shown that a shortage of experienced engineers and the housing crisis are among the many barriers experienced by engineering employers undertaking recruitment for 2023.
Shortage of Experienced Engineers
Damien Owens, Director General, Engineers Ireland, said: “Our recent survey has shown that 72% of member-respondents are majorly concerned about the shortage of engineers with the correct skills. These engineering employers see this shortage as the main barrier to business growth. We are all aware of the recent job cuts in the tech sector – many of them in the engineering area. It is important to stress that there are other sectors which are in urgent need of engineers e.g., construction and consultancy, with almost 8,000 new jobs anticipated in these sectors in 2023.
“The engineering field is one of the most important in our society. Engineering touches the lives of everyone, providing creative solutions to societal needs from tangible works such as bridges and flood defences, to heart stents and prostheses as well as the invisible technology that is all around us. But there is a problem: there are not enough skilled engineers to meet demand. The skills shortage is nothing new. In fact, it has been an issue for years. To try and retain or seek talent, companies are upskilling, maintaining hybrid working, where possible and attracting talent from overseas.”
The professional body for engineers has also warned that the shortage of engineers could potentially undermine the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 goals and ambitions. Project Ireland 2040 is made up of the National Planning Framework and the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
“In Project Ireland 2040, the Government has committed to actions on climate change and a ready supply of talented engineers will be fundamental to realising these goals. In 2023, the reality is that the number of students moving into third-level engineering and the technology sectors needs to be much larger to meet employers’ future needs for graduates.
“If we don’t address the skills shortage soon, it could have negative effects on our economy and society. We urgently need more young people choosing careers in engineering. I would therefore strongly encourage students making their CAO choices, and particularly young women, to consider a career in engineering and the fantastic and expanding opportunities that exist in the sector,” Mr Owens continued.
Construction Jobs Expo
Construction Jobs Expo will take place on 13th May 2023 at the RDS, Dublin. Meet leading employers in the construction and engineering sectors with job and career opportunities.
Register here.
Construction Jobs Expo will attract a wide variety of attendees looking for new challenges or hoping to take a career in the construction sector to the next level. These will include carpenters, joiners, 15,200 electricians, 13,900 plasterers and tillers, 11,800 plumbers, 9,400 painters and decorators and bricklayers amongst others.