The PROMOTE Project has launched its Labour Market Report for Ireland, shedding light on how Irish employers are adapting to a rapidly changing world of work shaped by digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, and increasing workforce diversity.
The report draws on in-depth field research conducted with companies across Ireland, representing both traditional and innovation-led industries. Through a series of employer interviews, the report explores five key themes: skills development, training and upskilling, employment of highly skilled migrant women, future labour market trends, and workplace diversity and inclusion.
Across all sectors, Irish employers recognise that the future of work is both digital and human, with a growing demand for AI literacy, sustainability skills, and leadership grounded in empathy and inclusion.
Key Findings:
- Digital Transformation & Emerging Skills: Employers identified critical gaps in areas such as AI, data analytics, cloud computing, and sustainability. Specifically, a need for digital transformation and circular economy skills was emphasised along with the rising demand for cybersecurity and green tech capabilities.
- Employment of Highly Skilled Migrant Women: While openness to hiring migrant women is widespread, actual integration remains limited. Many companies cited challenges around visibility in recruitment pipelines and the need for better onboarding and cultural support.
- Training and Development: Irish companies increasingly value flexible, blended learning models combining in-person mentoring with digital learning. Companies are starting to include inclusive training and mentoring strategies that support migrant and refugee women.
- Workplace Culture and Diversity: Some companies have embedded DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) principles into their operations. Others acknowledge the importance of building inclusive workplaces but require more structured tools and training.
- Future Trends: AI and automation are transforming industry structures, demanding technical skills, creativity, critical thinking, and leadership that combines human and digital collaboration.
The report calls for greater visibility and targeted recruitment of highly skilled migrant women. Employer education on inclusive hiring and intercultural leadership, as well as investment in digital, sustainability, and soft skills training, is aligned with future industry needs. It also emphasised the importance of stronger cross-sector partnerships between employers, education providers, and NGOs to support diverse talent pipelines. Promote foresees that Ireland’s labour market is evolving fast, and by investing in inclusive practices and future-oriented skills, our project can ensure no talent is left behind and that migrant women can thrive in high-skilled roles.
Download the full report here: PROMOTE Labour Market & Skills Reports | Promote Project
