People Availability for companies investing in Shannon Ireland
The Irish labour force is highly skilled and adaptive. There is willingness to work part-time and flexible hours and on short term contracts. Labour relations are excellent with minimal regulatory interference in comparison with other countries in Europe.
The Irish labour market is focused on collective agreements between employers and employees thus ensuring a high level of consensus. This experience of a partnership approach has left us with the problem solving skills and attitudes needed to create a focussed workplace development programme.
Since 1987, national pay agreements between employers, employees and government have played a central role in helping keep inflation under control by promoting wage moderation. Ireland has lower mandatory add-on costs that other European countries resulting in very competitive labour costs.
Almost 1 million people are in full time education. 60% of school leavers go on to third level education.
Currently, some 27,000 people are undertaking apprenticeship programmes for 25 occupations. In the main, schooling in Ireland up to and including third level is free.
Shannon has access to third level education facilities in Galway city (approx 83kms away) and Limerick city (17.8kms). The University of Limerick and The Limerick Institute of Technology are within 15 miles (25 kms) of Shannon. NUI Galway is 55 miles (88kms) and University College Cork is 80 miles (128kms.)
