If Ireland’s workforce were represented by just 100 people, 67 would require further training by 2030. To break this down further:
- 31 could be upskilled within their current roles;
- 25 could be upskilled and redeployed within their organisations; and
- 11 would be unlikely to receive the necessary upskilling, putting their future employment at risk.
This analogy paints a stark picture of the strategic workforce challenges organisations will face in the coming years.
Job creation and destruction: an evolving labour market
The WEF's Future of Jobs Report 2025 projects significant changes in the global labour market, with 22% of today’s total jobs expected to be affected worldwide. This encompasses both job creation (equivalent to 14% of today's employment) and displacement (equivalent to 8% of current roles).
This dynamic shift is characterised by two key trends. First, frontline jobs in sectors such as farming, construction, food processing and sales are expected to experience the largest growth in volume. Second, technology roles are anticipated to be the fastest-growing by percentage.
Among the roles poised for rapid growth are big data specialists, fintech engineers, AI and machine learning experts, software developers and professionals in green transition and renewable/environmental engineering. This evolving landscape underscores the critical need for organisations to invest in relevant skills development.
Skills demand: a shifting landscape
The job market evolution is driving significant changes in required skills. The 'skill instability' rate of 39% suggests that by 2030, two out of five workers will need to transform their existing skill sets or risk obsolescence.
Skills gaps emerge as the primary barrier to organisational transformation. In Ireland, 75% of respondents identify this as a major challenge for the next five years, compared to 63% globally. This concern is echoed in PwC's CEO Survey, where 91% of Irish CEOs express concern over skills availability.
Key skills in demand:
- Analytical thinking remains the most sought-after skill, with 70% of organisations deeming it essential by 2025.
- Resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership and social influence are also core skills
- AI and big data top the list of fastest-growing skills, followed by technology literacy and cybersecurity.
Notably, Ireland ranks most of these skills higher in importance than the global average. However, despite the emphasis on AI skills, only one-third of CEOs plan to integrate AI into their workforce and skills strategy, according to the PwC CEO Survey.
Workforce transformation: strategies for the future
Upskilling emerges as the dominant workforce strategy for 2025-2030, with 85% of employers planning to adopt this approach. Process and task automation follows closely with 73% of employers intending to accelerate implementation, while 63% plan to complement and augment their workforce with new technologies.
Global CEOs also show optimism when it comes to workforce composition:
- 42% expect to increase headcount in the coming year;
- Only 17% anticipate reducing their workforce;
- 70% plan to hire new staff for emerging in-demand skills; and
- 51% intend to transition staff internally from declining to growing roles.
A notable trend is the slight preference for bringing operations closer to home, with 10% of employers planning to reshore, nearshore or "friendshore" operations, compared to 8% planning significant offshoring.
Conclusion: navigating the future of work
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025 and PwC's CEO Survey offer crucial insights into the evolving landscape of work. These findings provide a roadmap for Irish businesses to build a resilient, adaptable and inclusive workforce ready for future challenges and opportunities.
The global work environment is increasingly complex, influenced by factors such as:
- Growing geoeconomic fragmentation;
- Rising cost of living; and
- Widespread adoption of AI tools.
Despite these challenges, the outlook remains net-positive for employment. The rate of skills obsolescence is decreasing, thanks to successful reskilling, upskilling and redeployment initiatives implemented in recent years.
Employers across industries show greater awareness and proactivity in addressing workforce challenges. However, skills gaps persist as the primary barrier to transformation. Future priorities likely include facilitating proactive and dynamic job transitions, and balancing deeper automation with broader workforce augmentation.
By embracing these insights and taking decisive action, Irish businesses can position themselves at the forefront of the evolving work landscape, ensuring their workforce is well-equipped for the future.
