Ireland's employment market experienced a 56% increase in job vacancies between July and September, according to the latest Jobs Index from e-recruitment platform IrishJobs.ie.
Despite the challenging economic environment, it shows that a number of sectors have experienced year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth.
Amongst the most resilient sectors are IT, up 83% quarter-on-quarter, construction and property, up 42%, engineering and utilities, up 29%, Pharma, up 26% and medicine and healthcare, up 10%.
Other sectors to experience relatively small declines in year-on-year terms and strong quarter-on-quarter growth include marketing, retail and wholesaling, manufacturing and production and education and childcare.
The unrelenting commercial challenges facing the tourism and hospitality sector have been well documented in recent months.
The latest Jobs Index data suggests the sector has endured substantial year-on-year decreases, however, as Covid restrictions were gradually lifted in the summer months, it has recorded strong quarter-on-quarter growth in Q3.
Hotel and catering is up 460% on Q2 but down 73% year-on-year.
Tourism, travel and airlines are up 75% quarter-on-quarter but down 90% year-on-year.
Beauty, haircare, leisure and sport are up 419% quarter-on-quarter but are down 34% year-on-year.
In light of Covid-19 restrictions, Irish employers and employees have been forced to quickly adapt to working remotely.
This trend is reflected in the Jobs Index location data; with remote working roles up 112% quarter-on-quarter and 1264% year-on-year.
Commenting on the findings, IrishJobs.ie General Manager, Orla Moran, said that 2020 has proven to be an extremely challenging and uncertain year for Irish business.
"The impact of the Covid-19 has undermined some industries more than others; hospitality and tourism businesses continue to fight to remain viable and grapple with planning for very uncertain short and long-term futures.
"Meanwhile, other high value export-led industries including IT, health, pharmaceuticals and engineering have all experienced compelling year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter growth," she said.
