Young, highly-qualified and experienced workforce attracting multinationals to join dynamic enterprise base in the Midlands – survey finds

A snapshot of the employment landscape in the Midlands has revealed a young, highly-qualified, experienced and multilingual workforce in the region.

The Midlands Skills Survey, carried out by Collins McNicholas Recruitment & HR Services Group in association with IDA Ireland, was launched today in Athlone.

The survey was carried out to give employers — and potential employers considering setting up 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. (See case studies from Abbott, Renew Health, Neueda Technologies and NPD Group Ireland here.)

Some of the main findings include:

– Almost three quarters (73%) of respondents are qualified to honours degree level or above
– 87% are qualified to an ordinary degree level or above
– Almost three quarters (72%) have four years or more industry experience
– 75% 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 (in this order): 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% saying that they had experienced an increase in salary in the last 12 months.

Three quarters said they felt they could progress their career into a more senior role with their current employer and 76% 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% 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.

A total of 93% of those surveyed said they would recommend living and working in the Midlands.

Survey Proves that the Midlands has a highly-qualified and Skilled Workforce

Mary Mullin, Collins McNicholas Midlands Regional Manager, said:

“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.”

The latest figures show there are 42 IDA-supported companies in the Midlands, employing 5,720.

Significant ‘new name’ investments in recent years include Aerie Pharmaceutical, Neueda Technologies, NPD Group (all based in Athlone), SkOUT Secure Intelligence and Greenfield Global in Portlaoise, and Red Seal Cups and Centre Parcs in Longford.

Ken Whitelaw, Regional Manager, Midlands IDA said:

“The enterprise base in the region is thriving, dynamic and innovative, with an impressive range of companies across all industry sectors. Particular strengths lie in life sciences, technology, global business services, international financial services and engineering.

“Companies benefit from the deep pool of talent in the area, but many have an ongoing need for suitably qualified and experienced staff. It is known that a significant number of people commute out of the region for work each day; it is therefore hoped that this skills survey will help companies recognise that the talent exists in their region, and demonstrate for job seekers that there are many exciting opportunities available in the Midlands.”

Padraic White, Chairman of Collins McNicholas and former Managing Director of IDA Ireland said:

“We often hear the lament in the regions that there’s no future for young people here. Well, an overwhelming 88% of the respondents feel that the Midlands will offer opportunities for graduates to take up employment in the future. The Midlands needs to now capitalise further on the revelations in this study and project its clusters of advanced industries, its multilingual and software talent and the potential of the region while reinforcing its geographic advantage as accessible to — and by — the entire country.”