Irish workers eye new jobs amid training gap survey

SD Worx Ireland found that 39% of employees in Ireland are looking for a new job, based on a survey of 1,000 workers.

The research points to dissatisfaction with workplace development. Some 22% of employees said their talents are not fully used, while 44% said they receive no training or learning opportunities.

That comes despite a strong appetite for development. Nearly three-quarters of respondents, or 73%, said they are eager to learn and grow in their roles, while 55% said they receive regular feedback from their employer that helps them improve performance.

Views on artificial intelligence were mixed, though positive among some workers. Around 29% said AI will make their work more meaningful, and 31% said it has already improved their ability to do their job effectively.

Workload pressure

The survey also found signs of strain in day-to-day operations. Nearly half of employees, or 47%, said their teams are understaffed, while 28% said too much of their working time is spent in meetings.

The responses point to pressure on staffing levels and time management at a time when employers are also trying to retain staff. Among the 301 employers surveyed in Ireland, 24% cited employee retention and turnover as a main workforce challenge, while 23% pointed to employee wellbeing and another 23% highlighted skills gaps, upskilling and reskilling.

There were also signs of uncertainty over future workforce needs. More than one in 10 employers, or 13%, said they do not know which skills their organisation will need in the next two to three years.

At the same time, many employers said they are changing how they plan their workforce. Nearly two-thirds, or 62%, said they are shifting their focus from job titles to skills, while half said they are investing in reskilling and upskilling staff for a workplace shaped by AI.

The findings reflect a labour market in which workers are weighing their options while employers reassess what they need from their staff. The gap between employees seeking growth and employers still working out future skills needs may add to retention pressures.

Eimear Byrne, managing director of SD Worx Ireland, said: “It's clear that employees in Ireland know their worth and are actively seeking opportunities that will help them grow and develop their professional skillsets. However, the onus should be on employers. Businesses must prioritise employee training and development to support their teams in reaching their full potential. This will not only benefit workers but also the wider organisation and help ensure people stay for the long term.

“Our research suggests that many employers may not know what they should be training their employees in. Now is the time to examine the skills already in place within the business, assess where the gaps are and understand what is needed to keep moving the business forward. With the right workforce management strategy, organisations can create transparency around time, capacity and skills, allowing them to plan resources better and support employee wellbeing. When it comes to AI, it's about adapting and evolving. Roles and skill requirements will change, but they will not disappear completely - human oversight will and should remain vital. An engaged workforce with the in-demand skills organisations need will be key to remaining competitive.”

The Ireland findings form part of a wider European survey conducted by iVOX on behalf of SD Worx across 16 countries. In total, the research covered 16,500 employees and 5,936 employers.

In Ireland, the study surveyed 1,000 employees and 301 employers, offering a snapshot of how staff and management view skills, workload and career development. The figures suggest that while many workers remain open to learning and see promise in AI, gaps in training, staffing and workforce planning are adding to pressure in the jobs market.