According to the ESRI, 64,000 Irish citizens left the country last year, with many seeking better work opportunities, cheaper cost of living and higher wages elsewhere.
Are you considering emigrating from Ireland, or are you keen to improve your skillset to fit into the employment market in other countries? Are there particular skillsets that are universally welcomed or do particularly well in English-speaking countries? In this article, we’ll go through some of the key skill areas you can learn in order to boost your chances of finding work abroad.
Reasons to move abroad
Nervous about moving abroad? Are you worried about leaving your comfort zone and moving to a foreign country? Consider some of the benefits there are to making the move.
Moving abroad from Ireland gives you the chance to make new friends, discover a new culture and even learn a new language.
With many exciting countries on Ireland’s doorstep, as well as large Irish populations further afield, more and more Irish people are discovering the benefits of moving overseas and taking advantage of higher wages, better jobs and a more exciting lifestyle.
Skills shortages in different regions
Ireland is conveniently placed, with the UK and EU on its doorstep, as well as a long history of emigration to some of the world’s largest economies, such as the USA and Australia.
For the UK, America and Australia, expats don’t even need to learn the local language, which makes them a tempting destination when deciding on their future working abroad.
For those wanting to take advantage of the economic opportunities outside of Ireland, finding out which skills are sought after in local markets can improve your chances of finding a job or even qualify you for specialist visas.
Skill Shortages in Australia
According to the Australian Department of Home Affairs, over 21,000 Irish citizens moved to Australia in 2023, with Irish workers being the third largest immigrant group for working holiday visas.
Australia has employment opportunities in many different sectors and a vibrant job market. However, if you were keen to make yourself more desirable as an employee or increase your chances of finding work, you could look to fill labour shortages within the country.
The Australian Government’s 2023 Skills Priority List shows that the country is keen to find technical and trade workers, as well as professionals in IT, Healthcare, engineering and science. Exploring online courses in these areas can be a great way to get the skills you need to make a move to Australia and take advantage of high wages and abundant job opportunities.
Skill Shortages in The UK
Irish workers can freely work and reside in the UK without a work visa. With free access to the 6th largest economy in the world, it’s no surprise that over 14,000 Irish people left to move to the UK in 2023.
According to the UK Government’s shortage occupations list, Healthcare, Science-related roles and roles within IT are all areas that have significant shortfalls in local labour. Exploring online courses in these areas can be a great way to get the skills you need to make the move over to the UK.
If you want to learn more about the process of moving from Ireland to the UK, take a look at our detailed guide on how to make the move over.
Skill Shortages in The EU
Irish workers can access 26 countries to live and work freely within the European Union. Although language barriers can be an issue for Irish citizens, the European continent can still be an attractive employment destination.
The largest economy in the EU, Germany, has been reported by Reuters to have significant labour shortages, especially within the construction industry. Meanwhile, Spain has been reported to have labour shortages within its hospitality sector.
For the trading bloc as a whole, the IT sector has a growing shortage of professionals, meaning that those with qualifications in IT would be highly sought after in the European continent.
However, with a highly skilled workforce and many of the world’s largest companies being based in Europe, upskilling through online courses in almost any area can help boost your employability in this region.
Skills shortages in The US
The US has a long history of Irish immigration, with over 31 million Americans having Irish ancestry. With no language barrier, America can be a highly attractive place for citizens from Ireland to move to.
Recent data from the US Chamber of Commerce shows that both the finance and business services sectors have 55% of positions currently unfilled, meaning that companies may be keen to seek labour from overseas in order to plug the gaps. With cities like New York being home to financial institutions like Wall Street and some of the world’s biggest banks, learners keen to move to a different country could see themselves setting up a new life here.
If you’re not already qualified in those areas or want to advance your skills, taking courses in Business or Finance can be a great way to achieve that goal. Taking online courses means that you can study in a flexible way and from the comfort of your own home.
Other skill areas that are appealing to international employers
If you’re keen to move abroad and want to build up a skill set that will lend itself to that goal, there are some areas of study that can be appealing to international employers almost anywhere in the world.
Teaching
Many countries are keen to bring in teachers, especially those who can teach children of their country foreign languages and improve their English language skills. Being a native with qualifications in teaching English can be an appealing skill set when looking for a new job in a new country.
In addition, core subjects, such as maths and science, travel well across borders, as most countries are keen to teach children the basics in these areas, which have little variation from country to country.
Although you might need to familiarise yourself with the local education system, teaching vacancies can be abundant in many countries, and prior work experience along with the right qualifications or postgraduate degrees can be enough for you to find work abroad. If you’re keen to build up skills in a career in teaching or improve your skill set to move abroad, taking on courses in teaching is the best way to do that.
Leadership and Management
For those looking to move abroad, having knowledge or experience at a leadership or management level can make you a far more attractive prospect for international employers.
When looking for work abroad, workers will need to make themselves look as appealing as possible. Furthermore, moving to another country can come with high relocation costs, as well as a higher cost of living.
With that in mind, upskilling to move towards higher-paid managerial roles or even taking on a leadership role within a company can not only make you a more attractive prospect but can also boost your ability to live and thrive in the country you’re moving to.
For those who feel that they don’t quite have the skills to apply for or move into a management or leadership position, taking on courses in Management or Leadership can be a great way to get the additional knowledge you need to rise up to the next level.
Keen to take that step and move from Ireland to another country? Online courses with Irish providers can give you the skills boost that you need to find the ideal overseas job for you.
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