Northern Ireland economy needs more than 5,000 workers a year to grow

Northern Ireland economy needs more than 5,000 workers a year to grow

Clodagh RiceBBC News NI business correspondent

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A high-growth scenario would see the creation of 8,000 new jobs a year for the next 10 years

Northern Ireland needs more than 5,000 additional workers a year in order to grow the economy, a report has suggested.

Ulster University’s Economic Policy Centre has published a report which looks at what future skills employers will need and potential supply gaps.

It forecasts a high-growth scenario which would see the creation of 8,000 new jobs a year for the next 10 years.

But it also highlights a shortage of 5,440 workers a year which, if not addressed, could hold back economic growth.

‘High value’ jobs in demand

The report says this reflects the need to tackle economic inactivity, those people who are not in work nor looking for a job including long term sick, as well as increasing the migrant labour supply.

The fastest growing occupations in terms of demand are “high value” jobs such as roles in data analytics, cyber security and IT.

These roles have typically higher wages, higher levels of productivity and require a higher level of qualification.

The health sector is expected to see the largest absolute growth due to its size and expected additional government spending to address longer-term strain on the health service.

Care workers and home carers are expected to increase employment by more than 4,000 over the next decade – that is the largest absolute increase across all occupations.

In contrast, employment growth is forecast to be flat in retail due to trends including the increased use of automation and the rise of online shopping.

Finding the balance

Rachel Huddleston, 21, is a third year economics student at Ulster University.

“When I was at school, I was well-advised on where there were shortages, but I think some just go ‘I like this subject, this is what I’m going to do,'” she told BBC News NI.

“I think it’s just finding that balance between being good at what you’re doing, but also knowing what is out there and what opportunities there are.”

Rachel Huddleston - a young woman with long brown hair smiles at the camera. She is standing in the middle of the university campus, but the background is blurred. She is wearing black-framed square glasses, a red shirt and a gold necklace.

Rachel Huddleston is a student at Ulster University

Anna Dukelow also studies economics at Ulster University.

She said knowing what demand is out there from employers helped her choose what to study and her placement.

“Business was up there with the undersupplied so I thought I would go with one of the STEAM subjects,” she added.

Anna Dukelow - a young woman with long blonde hair smiles at the camera. She is standing in the middle of the university campus building where students are walking in the background but it is blurred. She is wearing a black buttoned-up cardigan.

Anna Dukelow has questioned whether she should move away from Northern Ireland

One of the challenges highlighted in the report was the number of Northern Irish students who move away to Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland and do not return.

Ms Dukelow said that most of her friends from school have moved away.

“I’m the only one that has stayed here and definitely have questioned whether that was the right thing after hearing from them,” she added.

“Now that I’ve started my placement here and I’m finishing my degree here, I’d see myself staying here.

“That’s just because I’ve got my roots bedded here and I’m making connections but I know other people who would be thinking about going away.”

Ageing population ‘a challenge’

Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald said the report highlights the “long-term challenge posed by our ageing population”.

She continued: “The number of young people coming into the labour market isn’t enough to meet the increased demand for jobs.

“The shortfall is such that an undersupply of people is anticipated at all skill levels. Given that Brexit has limited our ability to recruit from the EU, it is all the more important to help people who face barriers to work or training into employment.

“The traditional answer is upskilling people who are out of work, and that remains important. But it is also vital to support people once they are in employment.”

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