Generation Z, the generation born between 1996 and 2010, have seen their female cohort produce 40% more engineering graduates than their Generation Y or 'millennial' counterparts, according to new research by Irishjobs.ie and Universum.
The research was conducted among 11,769 students across the areas of business, IT, engineering, law and health.
It noted a generational increase in the number of female graduates in both the engineering and business fields of 40% and 4% respectively.
It also noted a drop off in the number of female IT graduates, an 11% decrease from Generation Y to Generation Z.
The increase in engineering graduates among the Gen Z cohort could suggest that investment by corporates like Dell EMC, Accenture, and Johnson & Johnson in the promotion of science, technology, engineering and maths careers among female graduates, has helped to encourage the increase in those graduating with degrees in the sector.
However, it also suggests that more work is still required to position IT as an attractive career prospect for females.
Shift in priorities
Gender aside, the research shows that there has been a shift in priorities across the board among Generation Z graduates and their Generation Y counterparts when looking at the sought-after attributes amongst potential employers.
While remuneration is the main driver for Generation Z graduates across all industries, other prominent factors include the company's prestige, its innovation credentials, or a friendly work environment.
For Generation Y respondents, professional training opportunities rank above a competitive salary or higher future earnings.
Commenting on the data, General Manager at IrishJobs.ie, Orla Moran said a lot can change in a generation when it comes to the Irish jobs market.
"In terms of the makeup of the current talent market, there has been positive growth in female graduates in the engineering sector from Generation Y to Generation Z.
"However, there has been a slight drop off in female IT graduates from Generation Y to Z, which suggests that there is still work to be done," she said.
"When it comes to what graduates want from an employer, expectations are high among Gen Z professionals. Compared to Gen Y, Gen Z had graduated into a robust economy that was recovering well after many austere years.
"Unfortunately, due to the pandemic those gains have been curtailed, however the professional job market has remained buoyant," she said.
