Leitrim employment opportunities grew by 40% in 2023

Leitrim employment opportunities grew by 40% in 2023, according to leading recruitment company FRS Recruitment. They also expect the positive local trend to continue next year, with an additional growth forecast of 10% for the county throughout 2024.  

Leitrim was one of six counties to buck the national trend and record a rise in opportunities in 2023. There was significant growth across most of the northwest, with increases also recorded in Donegal (up 43%), Mayo (up 36%) and Sligo (up 13%). Other counties which experienced growth in the number of opportunities were Tipperary and Wicklow.  

The positive outlook for the coming year is in line with FRS Recruitment’s national projections, with 8% growth also forecasted for the country over the next 12 months. They are anticipating robust demand for accounting, insurance, engineering, science, construction, cybersecurity and social care personnel nationally for the coming year.

It is also expected that upward pressure on salaries in Leitrim and the rest of the country will continue over the next 12 months, with the economy at full employment and cost of living challenges still being felt by local employees.  

The analysis is included in FRS Recruitment’s 2023 Review & 2024 Trend Forecast report. In total, in 2023, a total of 88,964 opportunities nationally were advertised, with a 32% record in the average number of applications received per opportunity. 

On a county-by-county basis, 20 of the 26 counties experienced a decline in job opportunities in 2023. Dublin and all the other main urban areas experienced a drop in the number of roles, with Limerick (down 20%), Cork (down 19%) and Galway (down 18%). Proportionately, the largest decline was experienced in Monaghan (down 51%). 

Speaking about the report and the outlook for the year ahead, Lynne McCormack, General Manager with FRS Recruitment, said: “If 2023 was a year of turbulence in the recruitment market nationally, Leitrim was one of the few counties where a rise in the number of employment opportunities was recorded. Looking ahead to 2024, we fully expect the market in Leitrim to continue to grow, and our expectations are that there should also be steady growth across the national market after a challenging 12 months for the recruitment sector.  

“The market is already showing significant need for skilled personnel in several sectors. Employers are actively seeking out individuals with qualifications and experience in accounting, insurance, science, engineering, cybersecurity, social care and construction. Such is the pent-up demand for this talent. We see no shortage of opportunities arising in the next 12 months in Leitrim, especially for those sectors. 

“Employers in most sectors can expect to see a push for better remuneration, especially from those employees located throughout Leitrim who know there are plenty of other openings available on the market,” Ms McCormack concluded.