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AI, Skills, and Tech Talent: Key Workforce Trends Emerging from Ireland’s Latest Hiring Outlook
Ireland’s labour market continues to demonstrate resilience and growth as organisations prepare for the second quarter of 2026.
The latest ManpowerGroup Ireland Employment Outlook Survey reports a Net Employment Outlook of 36%, reflecting strong hiring confidence among employers and continued demand for talent across sectors.
While the report highlights broad labour market trends, several findings are particularly relevant for organisations operating in the technology and digital sectors.
Strong hiring momentum across Ireland
Insights gathered from 420 employers across Ireland indicate growing optimism in hiring intentions.
Key highlights include:
Net Employment Outlook of 36% for Q2 2026, reflecting continued hiring confidence
More than half of employers expecting to increase staffing levels in the coming months
Hiring sentiment improving compared with both the previous quarter and last year
For organisations navigating digital transformation, these trends highlight the importance of access to skilled technology professionals who can support innovation and business growth.
Technology and digital skills remain a priority
As organisations across Ireland expand their workforce, demand for technology expertise continues to grow.
Businesses increasingly require professionals with skills in areas such as:
Software development
Cloud technologies
Cybersecurity
Data and analytics
Artificial intelligence
These capabilities are becoming critical as organisations modernise infrastructure, implement new digital systems, and adopt emerging technologies.
AI driving new workforce strategies
One of the most notable insights from the survey relates to the role of artificial intelligence in workforce development.
When asked where AI is expected to deliver the greatest return on investment, Irish employers identified:
Learning and Development as the leading area.
This suggests organisations are increasingly using AI to:
Support employee upskilling and reskilling initiatives
Deliver more personalised learning experiences
Improve the efficiency of workforce training programs
For technology leaders, this reflects a broader shift toward continuous learning and agile workforce development.
Preparing for the future of work
As AI, automation, and digital transformation continue to reshape industries, organisations must ensure their workforce strategies evolve alongside technological change.
Key priorities for many employers now include:
Building future-ready technology teams
Investing in skills development and workforce training
Leveraging technology to enhance productivity and innovation
Organisations that prioritise these areas will be better positioned to navigate an increasingly digital business landscape.
📊Gain full access to the ManpowerGroup Ireland Q2 2026 Employment Outlook Report here.📊
