Kilkenny enjoys boom in job opportunities: report

Kilkenny experienced a significant 79% in job opportunities last year, according to a new report.

And the authors of the study, FRS Recruitment, have predicted further employment growth in Kilkenny this year.

The recovery in employment was felt throughout the economy last year, but Kilkenny was one of the counties to experience the highest increase. Nationally, FRS Recruitment, saw the total number of job postings handled grow by 12%, reaching 81,528 in total for 2021.

FRS Recruitment general manager Lynne McCormack said: “Last year was a very strong year for recruitment in Kilkenny. We recorded a 79% jump in the number of roles handled locally, which far exceeded the national average and was amongst the strongest in the country.

“FRS Recruitment also expects to see further growth in job opportunities in Kilkenny over the coming year. We are projecting a further 10% rise in the total number of roles handled nationally and we would anticipate Kilkenny will share in that growth. There should be significant movement across the economy with employers looking very closely at their resourcing needs as they seek to grow and expand their organisations and address any current and projected staff shortages.”

Across the economy, the rise in openings was cross sectoral with significant growth experienced in the commercial, IT, healthcare, construction, life sciences and engineering, agricultural sectors as well as temporary industrial and commercial positions.

Among the career areas where FRS Recruitment recorded the largest rises in activity during 2021 were retail (up 117%), transport and logistics (up 82%), pharmacy – retail (up 69%), professional services (up 68%) and banking and financial services (up 58%).

While nationally there was a broad increase in the number of roles handled, there were some significant regional variations experienced. In total 20 of the Republic’s 26 counties saw the number of job postings rise with the most significant increases coming in Longford (up 158%), Carlow (up 117%), Kilkenny (up 79%), Meath (up 76%), Louth (up 72%) and Cork (up 60%). Dublin also experienced strong growth (up 39%) and accounted for by the largest number of postings, 21% of the national total.

Six counties also experienced a decline in opportunities, with the largest drops coming in Roscommon (down 45%) and Donegal (down 30%).