Eolas Recruitment predicts that evolving technology trends will increase demand for skilled IT workers across most sectors of the Irish economy in 2019.
When the latest Census report came out last year, IT activities showed the largest increase in employment, rising by almost 56% to 59,376. Since then, if anything, demand has increased. We expect this trend to continue as employers upskill to compete more effectively and drive their businesses forward.
Five trends contributing to demand for IT skills
Trends that are contributing to the growing demand for skills include developments in cybersecurity, big data, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things.
Cybersecurity — This is a rapidly evolving discipline with companies more aware than ever of the potential financial impact and reputational damage that can be caused by security breaches. Preparations for GDPR last year combined with a number of high profile data privacy breaches heightened awareness and brought cybersecurity on to the boardroom agenda of many companies. Currently, Eolas Recruitment is seeing employers seeking to hire IT workers for cybersecurity roles such as infrastructure engineers, security designers and consultants, risk consultants and security analysts.
Big data — As the world becomes more data-oriented, new opportunities are opening up for IT talent in financial services, insurance, manufacturing, cleantech, healthcare, ICT, hospitality and retail. Skills are in short supply and graduates are in demand. Our experience shows companies are looking for skills like data analysis, science, visualisation and engineering, machine learning and A/B testing as they seek to collect, access and exploit data in a variety of different formats.
Artificial intelligence — Globally, IDC estimates that by 2021, 75% of enterprise applications will use AI. Retail, banking, manufacturing and healthcare are among the sectors already actively involved. Several years ago, a group led by IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland audited AI related activity across multinationals, domestic companies and academic researchers. The purpose was to identify leading players and companies with established centres of excellence in areas related to AI, like data analytics, cloud computing and big data. The group identified a skills gap which triggered the creation of new post-graduate AI programmes at the University of Limerick and University College Cork. With interest in AI growing across a broad spectrum of industries, Eolas Recruitment expects demand for IT executives with AI skills to increase in 2019.
Blockchain — Another IDA initiative seeks to make Ireland a centre of excellence for blockchain. This technology has the potential to act as a catalyst for innovation across a broad range of sectors from financial services to the beef industry and healthcare. Relevant skills for IT workers seeking blockchain related opportunities include data analytics, software development and system architecture.
Internet of Things — Cisco predicts that 500 billion devices will be connected to the Internet by 2030. These devices collect data which businesses can analyse to improve their decision making and drive the business forward. Demand is growing for IT workers to create and integrate IoT devices. Also, as devices proliferate and new vulnerabilities inevitably arise, there will be increased demand for IT workers who understand how to work collaboratively and manage, analyse and secure data. Typically, the IT skills required for IoT related roles include engineering, data analysis and cybersecurity.
Generally, we predict that demand for IT skills will remain strong in 2019 with shortages of key skills continuing in some sectors. As a specialist recruiter with an established track record, Eolas Recruitment has in-depth knowledge of the market. Check out our Google reviews and contact us for information on how we can help.
