Demand for green skills grew over 22.1% last year

Demand for green talent in Ireland grew by over 22.1% last year, well above the global average of 11.6%, according to research.

The latest Labour Market Pulse published by IDA Ireland in collaboration with Microsoft and LinkedIn shows that demand for green skills in Ireland grew at twice the rate of the rest of the world -11.9% against 6% - between 2021 and 2024.

An analysis by LinkedIn shows that the percentage of job postings requiring green skills in Ireland is one of the highest internationally, with one in eight Irish jobs now requiring at least one green skill.

Green skills are most concentrated in industries like utilities, construction, and manufacturing, with skills such as environmental impact assessment and operational efficiency among the fastest growing areas in demand.

However, the need for skills in areas like sustainable supply chain management, pollution prevention, and renewable energy is spreading rapidly to other industries, such as professional services, financial services, and technology.

"Sustainability is a key focus in IDA's strategy, and we are committed to helping multinationals in Ireland achieve their sustainability goals," said Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Lead and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Center, said that it is important that every community, business and individual has the right capabilities to support the green transition.

"Published today, the Labour Market Pulse highlights the need for greater investment in green skills across key industries to accelerate a zero-carbon future for Ireland," Mr O’Connor said.

LinkedIn Ireland Country Manager Sue Duke said that green talent will be central to overcoming the climate crisis.

"We can already see that Irish companies are stepping up to play their part, as evidenced by the high levels of hiring for workers with green skills and it is crucial that supply is boosted in order to meet demand," Ms Duke said.

Skillnet Ireland Director of Policy and Communications Tracey Donnery said its research shows that businesses now see upskilling in sustainability as critical to their future success.

"Skillnet Ireland is engaging with industry to develop talent frameworks and upskilling programmes to build a sustainable talent pipeline," Ms Donnery said.