Hire Skilled Workers in Ireland

Access experienced international talent when the skills your business needs are
difficult to find locally.

Irish businesses across construction, engineering, automotive, manufacturing and other skilled sectors are competing for experienced workers. International recruitment can give employers access to a much wider talent pool while creating a sustainable solution to persistent skills shortages.

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Find the Skilled Workers You Need

Struggling to Find Skilled Workers in Ireland?

Recruiting locally should always be part of a strong workforce strategy. But what happens when the people you need simply aren’t available?

When skilled workers are difficult to find, the impact can spread quickly across a business. Vacancies stay open for longer, recruitment costs rise and employers find themselves competing repeatedly for the same limited pool of experienced workers.

That can lead to project delays, increased pressure on existing teams and missed opportunities for growth. In some cases, businesses may even have to turn down work or delay expansion simply because they cannot recruit the people they need.

Why Hire International Skilled Workers?

Access a Larger Talent Pool

Your recruitment market is no longer limited by geography.

International recruitment allows employers to search for experienced workers with the specific skills, qualifications and experience their business requires.

Fill Hard-to-Recruit Roles

Some positions can remain vacant despite repeated advertising and recruitment campaigns.

Expanding the search internationally means businesses can look in markets where those skills are more readily available.

Support Business Growth

Lack of labour can become a genuine growth constraint.

International recruitment can give employers additional workforce capacity to accept contracts, expand operations, increase production or deliver major projects.

Build Your Workforce for the Long Term

International recruitment can form part of a longer-term workforce strategy, helping businesses develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled people rather than repeatedly reacting to vacancies.

Recruit for Skills, Not Just Availability

Construction

Carpenters, joiners, plumbers, electricians, welders, pipefitters and other experienced
trades.

Automotive Workers

Mechanics, technicians, diagnostic specialists and other automotive professionals.

Engineering Professionals

Engineering and technical talent across a range of disciplines.

Manufacturing Workers

Skilled production, maintenance, fabrication and manufacturing professionals.

HGV Drivers

Experienced professional drivers for transport and logistics operations.

Data Centre Workers

Technical and skilled personnel supporting Ireland’s growing data centre sector.

Shipbuilding and Marine Workers

Looking for riggers, shipwrights, welders and more for your shipbuilding?

Pharmaceutical

Process Engineers, Quality Control Analysts, Laboratory Technicians and other roles for the Pharmaceutical sector

How Does Hiring International Workers in Ireland Work?

Hiring a worker from overseas involves more than simply finding a suitable candidate.

Employers need to consider the position being recruited, employment permit eligibility, candidate suitability, immigration requirements and the practicalities involved in relocating someone to Ireland.

Workforce Requirement

International Recruitment

Candidate Assessment

Employment Permissions

Relocation

Employment

Employment Permits for International Workers in Ireland

Many non-EEA nationals require an employment permit before they can work in Ireland. The appropriate route depends on factors including the occupation, remuneration, qualifications and circumstances of the employment.

General Employment Permit

The General Employment Permit is Ireland’s main route for recruiting non-EEA workers across a broad range of occupations where employers are experiencing skills or labour shortages. Most occupations are eligible unless specifically included on the Ineligible List of Occupations.

Applicants must meet the relevant salary, skills and experience requirements, while employers may also need to complete a Labour Market Needs Test. The general minimum annual remuneration is currently €36,605, although different thresholds apply to certain occupations.

Critical Skills Employment Permit

The Critical Skills Employment Permit is designed to attract highly skilled professionals into occupations considered strategically important to the Irish economy. It covers roles where significant skills shortages exist, including many positions in engineering, technology, healthcare and other specialist professions.

Qualifying roles generally require a minimum two-year job offer and must meet the relevant occupation, qualification and salary requirements. 

Unlike the General Employment Permit, a Labour Market Needs Test is not
required.

Other Employment Permit Routes

Ireland also provides a number of other employment permit routes for specific circumstances and types of employment.

Depending on the worker, employer and nature of the role, a different permit category may be more appropriate. Identifying the correct route at the beginning of the recruitment process can help employers avoid unnecessary delays and
ensure applications meet the relevant requirements.

Why Employers Are Looking Beyond the Irish Labour Market

Ireland has a highly skilled workforce, but in some sectors demand continues to outpace the availability of experienced workers. Employers can find themselves competing for the same candidates, leaving important roles open for months at a time.

For businesses with projects to deliver, contracts to fulfil or plans to grow, international recruitment offers access to a much wider talent pool. It can help employers fill persistent skills gaps, strengthen existing teams and build the workforce needed to support long-term growth.

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International Recruitment Without the Uncertainty

Hiring internationally can seem complicated if you’ve never done it before. Finding candidates is only one part of the challenge. Employers also need confidence in candidate suitability, documentation, employment permits, relocation and the transition into employment.

Aureol Global Connections supports employers throughout the international recruitment journey, giving businesses a single partner for accessing skilled international talent.

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Recruitment

Access experienced international candidates.
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Employment Permit Support

Support navigating the requirements associated with employing international workers.
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Assessment

Confidence that candidates meet the requirements of the position.
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Relocation & Onboarding Support

Helping employers and workers prepare for a successful transition to Ireland.
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International Recruitment Across Ireland

We work with businesses throughout Ireland looking to recruit skilled workers from international markets.

International recruitment is what we do.

  • International recruitment expertise
  • Experience recruiting skilled workers for Irish employers
  • Dedicated overseas infrastructure
  • Technical candidate assessment
  • Employment permit experience
  • Support before and after arrival
  • Recruitment across multiple skilled sectors