A snapshot of the employment landscape in the Midlands region has revealed a young, highly-qualified, experienced and multilingual workforce in the region, a s kills survey, carried out by Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group in association with IDA Ireland, has revealed.The results of the survey were made public at a forum which took place in Dead Centre Brewing this week.
The survey was carried out to give employers and potential employers who are considering establishing a business in the region a snapshot of the current talent pool available in the Midlands region. A total of 452 people employed across various sectors in the region responded.
Employer interviews carried out in conjunction with the survey show the decision by many to establish in the Midlands was because of the strong pool of talent in the region.
Some of the main findings noted that almost three quarters (73 percent ) of respondents are qualified to honours degree level or above; 87 percent are qualified to ordinary degree level or above; almost three quarters (72 percent ) have four years or more industry experience, while 75 percent of those who responded were aged between 25 and 44.
Another significant finding of the report was the large range of languages being spoken by a multilingual workforce in the region. They include Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, Russian, Polish and Italian.
The report also demonstrates the range of industries in the region with those surveyed working in the following sectors - pharma or biopharma, ICT/computing or software, medical devices/medical technology, professional services and marketing/market research.
Respondents were also positive about their experiences of working in the Midlands with 70 percent saying that they had experienced an increase in salary in the last twelve months.
Three quarters said they felt they could progress their career into a more senior role with their current employer and 76 percent said they believed the Midlands could offer them the opportunities to fulfil their career aspirations.
Athlone Institute of Technology has a strong influence on the region, working closely with industry to provide skills needed, so it was no surprise that a total of 88 percent said that they were confident that the Midlands could offer opportunities for graduates to take up employment in the future.
The survey also showed that employees enjoy a good work-life balance with half of all those surveyed having a commute that is less than 20 minutes and respondents said the main benefits of living and working in the Midlands are quality of life, a safer environment and a reduced cost of living.
Speaking with regard to the survey’s findings, Mary Mullin, Collin McNicholas Midlands Regional Manager, noted that there was never a better time for businesses to establish a base in the Midlands region.
“There has never been a better time for employers to establish a base in the Midlands or for employees to progress their career here. This survey proves that the Midlands has a highly-qualified and skilled workforce across a range of sectors to meet the high-end jobs that are coming into the region from companies setting up here as well as those thinking of establishing a second site here.
“Within 25 minutes of Athlone, there is an extensive supply of talent currently working in various sectors including the more established sectors of medtech, pharma and biopharma but also in the emerging sectors such as ICT and shared services. The skilled and multilingual talent, evident from the report, has played a part in attracting many multinationals to establish a base here.”
