Opportunities and salaries surge in tech sector

A number of recent reports contain good news for tech workers, with plenty of roles for strong candidates and excellent salaries on offer.

Eolas Recruitment is seeing strong levels of activity on the ground at present in Ireland’s fast-paced and dynamic information and communications (ICT) sector. Central Statistics Office (CSO) data supports our experience with preliminary estimates for Q3 2019 (the latest figures available at the time of writing) showing ICT employment at 81,300, up from 76,400 in the same period last year. (Table 7a Employment by economic sector and other characteristics and quarter.) Labour Force Statistics for information and communication were also up — 131,000 in Q3 2019 compared to 124,000 in the same period last year.

With no shortage of good jobs to be filled, employers are competing to attract top candidates. This is reflected in the salaries and benefits being offered which are ahead of what workers can expect to earn in many other sectors. Data compiled by The Irish Independent shows that ICT salaries can be as much as three times that of other sectors.

While high rents, particularly in the capital, have pushed up the cost of living for workers, there are signs that tide may be turning. Inflation in the private rental market as measured by the Daft.ie Report fell from over 12% nationally in mid-2018 to 5.2% in the third quarter of 2019. House prices in late 2019 were 1.2% lower than in late 2018 according to Daft.ie.This should be welcome news for workers for whom the rising cost of accommodation has been a major issue over the last few years.

Other concerns for many candidates seeking roles include work-life balance, ongoing training and development, mentoring and opportunities to advance their career. Ireland scores reasonably well in this regard. The OECD’s Better Life Index puts us above average in jobs and earnings, housing, personal security, health status, education and skills, social connections, subjective well-being, work-life balance, and environmental quality, and says that, in general, Irish people are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average.

Another study, the UN’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network’s Ranking of Happiness, which uses survey data to rank countries by how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be, places Ireland 16 out of 156 countries.

In recent times, state agencies have been putting more emphasis on regional development. While many of the largest IT employers are headquartered in Dublin, we are seeing more opportunities opening up outside of the Capital and there are excellent ICT networks in many regions. This is a trend we expect to continue in 2020. Eolas Recruitment’s experience is that, given a choice, candidates who prefer to work in their native counties will compromise on higher salaries particularly if it means shorter commutes, easier access to schools and services, and a better quality of life.

As a specialist in the IT sector, Eolas Recruitment has an excellent network of contacts across all regions of Ireland. So, if you are planning a move in  2020, now is the time to get in touch. Our recruiters will let you know about current and upcoming opportunities and help you limit your search to relevant companies. We can also help you update your CV so as to present your skills and experience in the best possible light. Reach out to us for details.