Oibríochtaí Ginearálta

Note: There are a number of occupations discussed in this section which, for simplicity purposes, are referred to as labourers; these include cleaners, porters, sorters, various types of mates and other occupations not elsewhere classified.

Key points for selected labourers

• In 2016, approximately 145,000 persons were employed in elementary occupations, representing 7.2% of total employment nationally
• Two thirds (or 97,000 persons) were employed in elementary cleaning, construction and sales & storage occupations
• Over the period 2011-2016, overall employment levels remained relatively static; the growth in employment for construction operatives, (8.3% on average annually, or 11,500 persons) was countered by a contraction in employment for all other occupations; in absolute terms, the largest decreases were observed for elementary administrative occupations (almost 5,000 persons), and elementary sales & storage (2,600 persons)
• Between 2015 and 2016, employment of elementary construction occupations expanded by 14.6%, well above the national average of 2.9%, with almost 4,500 additional persons employed
• At least two thirds of those employed in most elementary occupations was aged 25-54; the most mature age profile was for elementary administrative (i.e. postal workers, mail sorters) and security workers, with almost 30% and 25% aged 55 or older, above the national average of 18%
• The education profile of persons employed in elementary occupations was skewed towards lower levels of educational attainment; the share employed in each occupation with lower 46There are a number of occupations discussed in this section which, for simplicity purposes, are referred to as labourers; these include cleaners, porters, sorters, various types of mates and other occupations not elsewhere classified. secondary or less qualifications and higher secondary/FET qualifications was above the respective national average; in contrast, the share with third level qualifications was well below the national average
• Employment in most occupations was predominantly male; however, 64% of employed cleaners and 37% of elementary process plant workers were female
• At 55%, the prevalence of part-time work was the highest for cleaners ─ one of the highest shares among all occupations in the national workforce
• Approximately 46% of employed cleaners were non-Irish nationals ─ one of the highest shares among all occupations in the national workforce; the share was also relatively high for elementary process plant workers (37%).

Shortage Indicators

The transitory nature of employment in elementary occupations (e.g. cleaners, security guards, routine testers, elementary construction workers, agricultural labourers etc.) is apparent through the analysis of the many labour market indicators examined such as transitions, vacancies and job seeker data. There is a higher than average share of nonIrish nationals employed in elementary occupations, particularly in cleaning. There is also a high share of part-time work and the education profile of those employed in these occupations is lower than the overall average. Although there is currently no evidence of shortage of labourers in Ireland, attracting and retaining elementary workers will become increasingly challenging as job opportunities increase across all sectors of the economy. This appears to be the case for those employed in the agricultural sector such as mushroom/fruit pickers. There has also been an increased demand for construction labourers.