Minister Lawless launches results of latest National Employer Survey
By James Holohan
Posted: 10 April, 2025
Survey shows that majority of employers are very satisfied with the quality of graduates they have recruited over the last two years, with over one-in-three recruiting HE graduates and around one-in-four recruiting FET graduates
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD today launched the National Employer Survey 2024. The survey shows that the majority of employers are very satisfied with the quality of graduates they have recruited over the last two years.
Specific attributes that scored highest across Higher Education (HE) and Further Education and Training (FET) graduates include flexibility, collaboration and time-management.
The survey, used to capture views of higher and further education outcomes of a broad range of businesses, also ascertains future skills needs of businesses, staff development through CPD (Continuous Professional Development), satisfaction levels and quality of recent graduates, and barriers to the recruitment of graduates.
A collaborative project between the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, this is the fourth such survey to be carried out to date, following previous surveys conducted in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Key Findings from the National Employer Survey:
- Over one-in-three (35%) businesses in Ireland recruited HE graduates in the previous two years, while around one-in-four (24%) recruited FET graduates
- Just over half (51%) of businesses plan to recruit HE graduates and close to half (45%) plan to recruit FET graduates over the next three years
- Distribution of HE grad recruitment is a bit more in favour of businesses in the professional, scientific and technical sector with the recruitment of FET graduates higher in construction and hospitality sectors
- Lack of available vacancies was stated as a key reason for employers not recruiting graduates, with other reasons including a lack of applications from graduates and lack of availability of suitable graduates
- General business and admin, sales (incl. customer management and business development) and IT management all top the list as being important for future recruitment of HE and FET graduates
Launching the results of the survey, Minister Lawless said: “The National Employer Survey 2024 shows just how valuable further and higher education graduates are to Ireland’s workforce and economy. It’s great to see that the majority of employers are happy with the quality of graduates they have hired; it proves our education system is working well.
“The survey also highlights the importance of strong links between education and industry in ensuring graduates have the right skills for the job market. I am committed to building on this progress, listening to employers and educators, and continuously improving to ensure graduates are fully equipped to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and Ireland’s economic and societal needs.”
Higher Education Authority CEO, Dr Alan Wall, said: “It is very encouraging to see that employers across Ireland are very satisfied with the calibre of graduates that they are employing and plan to employ in the future. Ensuring that our graduates have the proper skills when entering the workplace builds huge confidence with employers.
“It is clear from this survey that reskilling and upskilling remain very important for employers as work practices and technologies change, as well as basic elements such as flexibility and teamwork.”
Andrew Brownlee CEO of SOLAS, said: “The National Employer Survey provides us with important insights on future skills needs, and the appetite for future collaboration between businesses and tertiary education institutions. This will help to inform policy making at national and regional level and identify innovative solutions to help us support workforce transformation.
“While the survey shows that there is still a significant importance placed on relevant qualifications by employers, it also shows that there is high demand for soft skills such as communication skills, teamwork and flexibility – many of these soft skills are an integral part of FET provision.
“We are also delighted to see that most businesses support Continuous Professional Development (CPD), lifelong learning, upskilling and reskilling – we know that FET will play an important part in the development of future skills needs that will be essential to maintain competitiveness, particularly in the context of the rapidly changing world of work. The survey shows the growing recognition from businesses on the need for everyone to upskill and reskill throughout their careers.”
