Bridging the Skills Gap in Wexford – What Local Businesses Need to Know

Recruitment in County Wexford is evolving rapidly, and for many businesses, finding the right talent has become one of the biggest challenges to growth. Across sectors, we’re seeing a clear trend: demand for technical and digital skills is outpacing supply. Roles in IT support, engineering, and skilled trades are particularly competitive, with businesses often struggling to attract qualified candidates locally.

The Numbers Behind the Challenge

According to the latest ManpowerGroup Talent Shortage Survey, 83% of employers in Ireland report difficulty filling roles due to a lack of skilled candidates; the highest level in 20 years. IT and data skills remain the hardest to find for the fourth consecutive year, followed by engineering and sustainability-related roles. Employers are responding by increasing advertising budgets and upskilling staff, but the gap persists and is expected to continue through 2025.

In Wexford specifically, the job market is shifting toward technology and healthcare, with tech roles growing at 10% annually and remote work now accounting for roughly 30% of the workforce. This trend offers opportunities for businesses willing to adapt, but it also means competition for talent is fierce.

Why is this happening?

Several factors are at play. Digitalisation and the green transition are reshaping industries, creating demand for new skill sets. At the same time, many skilled professionals are gravitating toward larger urban centres or remote roles, leaving regional employers with a smaller talent pool. The decline in hybrid work offers - from 38% in 2024 to just 17% in 2025 - may also be making it harder for businesses to attract candidates who value flexibility.

What can Wexford businesses do?

• Upskill your team: Investing in training can help close internal gaps and reduce reliance on external hires. Skillnet and other resources can help here. 
• Think flexibly: Consider contract or project-based hiring to access specialist skills without long-term overheads. 
• Tap into local networks: Partnering with schools, training providers, and recruitment specialists can help uncover hidden talent.

How Innovate Skillsource Delivers Value

At Innovate Skillsource, we understand that every business has unique needs and budgets. That’s why we offer flexible recruitment solutions designed to deliver maximum value:

• Contingency Recruitment: Pay only when we deliver the right candidate; and pay over 12 months. 
• Contractor Placement: Access specialist skills for short-term projects without long-term cost.
• Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO): A cost-effective way to manage multiple hires end-to-end, freeing up your team to focus on growth.
• Sourcing-as-a-Service: A low cost option to access verified sourced candidates; and you manage the hiring process; 

Our approach combines local market knowledge with smart technology, helping Wexford businesses hire faster, smarter, and more affordably.

Ready to close the skills gap?

Contact Innovate Skillsource today to discuss your hiring needs and discover practical solutions that keep your team strong and your business moving forward.

About the Author

Chris Vos is the manager of Innovate Skillsource, a Wexford-based recruitment solutions provider dedicated to helping local businesses hire smarter and grow stronger, particularly in IT and other technical and STEM related roles and industries. Chris brings extensive experience in talent acquisition and workforce planning, and is passionate about supporting SMEs in the South East to overcome skills gaps and create opportunities for local talent.