STEM Skills Even More Critical to Ireland Amid Global Trade Instability

Securing STEM talent during the current global trade instability is crucial to securing Ireland’s economic future, an Engineers Ireland Forum, supported by Medtronic, has heard.

Almost three-quarters of Irish adults (71 per cent) believe that, because of the ongoing international trade war, science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) skills are now more important to Ireland’s economy than ever before, according to a new national survey by Interactions Research. Furthermore, 80 per cent agree that the Government should do more to address the high drop-out rates of STEM students in third-level courses.

The findings of the Interactions Research were presented at the Engineers Ireland STEM Forum in Buswells Hotel, supported by global healthcare technology leader Medtronic.

The Forum brought together leaders from across the public sector, education, and industry to consider issues of importance in STEM education. The Forum heard that just over a quarter of Irish adults (28 per cent) believe the Government is heading in the right policy direction in narrowing the STEM skills gap, with a further 84 per cent who believe the Government should increase R&D incentives to encourage STEM participation.

Most survey respondents also agreed that addressing the cost of living in Ireland (71 per cent), investing in housing and infrastructure (69 per cent), as well as educational grants and programmes (68 per cent), are the most effective measures the Government could take to keep STEM talent in Ireland.

Engineers remain in short supply in Ireland’s labour market. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s critical skills occupation list features most categories of engineers. Moreover, the State’s further education and training agency, SOLAS, references significant skills shortages in engineering in its National Skills Bulletin 2024.

Newly appointed Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Erin McGreehan T.D. said: “Ireland has a proud tradition of excellence in STEM, and it’s vital we build on that legacy. As global competition intensifies, we must ensure that students are not only encouraged to pursue STEM pathways but are fully supported to complete their studies and transition into the workforce. The Government is committed to working with education providers and industry to reduce dropout rates, strengthen progression routes, and secure the STEM talent Ireland needs to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.”

Damien Owens, Director General of Engineers Ireland, said:

“Engineering, among other STEM disciplines, are at the heart of Irish industry and our economy. In extremely turbulent times, public policy must safeguard the sector against shocks to ensure that STEM industries can continue to deliver the jobs, exports, and value to the exchequer that have made Ireland such a success story internationally. However, failure to address the ongoing shortage of engineers, through encouraging participation in STEM education and supporting students at third level, threatens our future prosperity and risks the investment that has proved so pivotal to this country.”

Ronan Rogers, Senior R&D Director at Medtronic, said:

“This discussion reinforces the fact that Ireland’s global competitiveness in life sciences and advanced manufacturing is directly linked to our ability to attract, retain and develop top STEM talent. For companies like Medtronic, which rely on highly specialised skills to innovate and grow, it is essential that the Government continues to prioritise investment in STEM education and R&D incentives. We welcome commitments from Government, including enhancements to the R&D Tax Credit and the Life Sciences Strategy, and asked that they be matched with action that supports students and strengthens the talent pipeline from classroom to career.”

Separate research, published by Engineers Ireland earlier this year, shows that over a third of engineering employers have reported taking six to 12 months to fill engineering vacancies, while just 9.8 per cent of graduates in Ireland come from engineering disciplines, almost half the global average.