A new survey reveals that hiring activity across key sectors in Ireland showed resilience in the first quarter of this year, despite economic uncertainty.
The latest Workforce Trends report from Matrix Recruitment shows that job postings rose by 15.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025.
Matrix Recruitment said that employers showed a cautious but steady approach to hiring in the first three months of the year, especially in sectors with ongoing talent shortages, such as manufacturing, engineering and financial services.
The latest AIB manufacturing PMI reported a modest upturn in manufacturing performance in the first quarter of the year on the back of increased production and new contracts and Matrix said this was reflected in hiring trends with manufacturing accounting for over 25% of live job listings in the first quarter.
The number of manufacturing roles grew by 29% compared to the same time last year and the recruitment firm noted that employers are actively recruiting for a wider range of technical and supervisory positions, with job titles like production manager, maintenance technician, mechanical design engineer and production team leader leading the way.
Roles related to environment, sustainabilit, and green strategy rose by 5%, which Matrix said showed that more employers in Ireland are recognising the importance of ESG as part of their overall business strategy and investing accordingly.
Meanwhile, demand for permanent positions rose by 10.5% in the three month period under review, accounting for over 65% of all job listings at Matrix Recruitment.
Temporary hiring jumped by 16.7%, indicating a shift toward workforce flexibility, today’s survey also showed.
“While economic uncertainty remains a concern, we are seeing strong demand for skilled professionals across multiple industries,” said Breda Dooley, Head of Recruitment at Matrix Recruitment.
“Manufacturing remains a key generator of jobs in Ireland, and we are seeing increased investment in ESG roles. The market is evolving, and job seekers with in-demand skills will continue to be at an advantage,” she said.
She also noted that the growth in short-term project and cover roles is clearly a reflection of the current economic uncertainty.
“Many businesses are focused on staying agile and prioritising their short-term operational needs over future growth,” she added.
Matrix said that as the country continues to navigate the complexities of the global economic landscape, several key factors will influence hiring trends for the rest of the year.
“Among these, global trade tensions remain a central concern. The Irish Government has warned that up to 80,000 future jobs could be at risk if the US proceeds with additional tariffs on the EU,” the recruiter said.
Although the tariffs have now been confirmed, they are currently subject to a 90-day pause, providing a window for negotiation and potential resolution.
“This period of uncertainty means that while certain sectors, including automotive, machinery, electronics, minerals, and agriculture, may be more vulnerable to disruption, the full extent of the impact remains to be seen,” the company said.
“Matrix Recruitment has noted a potential for sharper-than-expected slowdown in job growth, following the US administration’s April 2 announcement. However, with EU leaders hoping to engaging in dialogue with the US, there remains cautious optimism that an agreement could mitigate the worst-case scenarios,” it added.
