07/11/2025
Economy Minister Cautiously Welcomes Skills Shortage Decrease
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has welcomed a report decrease of the skills shortage in Northern Ireland, while highlighting how the challenges in filling posts still persists.
The Department for the Economy has published the findings of the Northern Ireland Employer Skills Survey 2024, which provides insight into the skills challenges currently faced by local businesses. The survey gathered data from 3,388 employers, examining areas including skills gaps, recruitment, training, and apprenticeships.
The survey defines a "skills-shortage vacancy" as a post that is hard to fill due to a lack of necessary skills, qualifications, or experience among applicants.
Key Findings on Vacancies and Skills Gaps:
The survey indicated a decrease in shortages and vacancies since 2022:
• Total Vacancies: There are now 29,900 vacancies in 2024, representing a decrease of 9,600 since the previous 2022 survey.
• Skills-Shortage Vacancies: This specific category has fallen from 13,700 in 2022 to 7,500 in 2024.
• Proportion of Shortages: Skills-shortage vacancies now account for 25% of all vacancies, down from 35% in 2022.
• Workforce Skills Gaps: The proportion of employees with internal skills gaps also fell from 4.6% in 2022 to 4% in 2024.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the reported progress but cautioned that employers still face significant difficulties:
"While this survey shows that the volume of vacancies and skills shortages has fallen from 2022, employers still face challenging circumstances in filling many posts.
"Skills are at the heart of this vision and my Department is investing heavily across the skills ecosystem."
The Minister also emphasised the role of apprenticeships in bridging the remaining skills gap, noting that 17% of employers currently offer apprenticeships. She urged more businesses to "explore the potential of apprenticeships to develop the skills and talent they require to succeed."
The Department for the Economy has published the findings of the Northern Ireland Employer Skills Survey 2024, which provides insight into the skills challenges currently faced by local businesses. The survey gathered data from 3,388 employers, examining areas including skills gaps, recruitment, training, and apprenticeships.
The survey defines a "skills-shortage vacancy" as a post that is hard to fill due to a lack of necessary skills, qualifications, or experience among applicants.
Key Findings on Vacancies and Skills Gaps:
The survey indicated a decrease in shortages and vacancies since 2022:
• Total Vacancies: There are now 29,900 vacancies in 2024, representing a decrease of 9,600 since the previous 2022 survey.
• Proportion of Shortages: Skills-shortage vacancies now account for 25% of all vacancies, down from 35% in 2022.
• Workforce Skills Gaps: The proportion of employees with internal skills gaps also fell from 4.6% in 2022 to 4% in 2024.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald welcomed the reported progress but cautioned that employers still face significant difficulties:
"While this survey shows that the volume of vacancies and skills shortages has fallen from 2022, employers still face challenging circumstances in filling many posts.
"Skills are at the heart of this vision and my Department is investing heavily across the skills ecosystem."
The Minister also emphasised the role of apprenticeships in bridging the remaining skills gap, noting that 17% of employers currently offer apprenticeships. She urged more businesses to "explore the potential of apprenticeships to develop the skills and talent they require to succeed."
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.