Highly Skilled Workforce

The factors influencing investors to locate in the Metropolitan Cork area are many and varied. But, more often than not, the availability of highly qualified graduates contributes to their decision. Cork City has a young, well educated, and highly motivated workforce - 37% are under the age of 25. Educational standards are exceptionally high and sustained investment has helped to maintain excellence while fostering a knowledge-based economy.

In the ten years up to 1998, the number of Irish students in full or part-time third level courses increased by 72%. During the same period, the number of post graduates in the system more than doubled. Clearly, Cork can provide an educated workforce. But how closely does it reflect the requirements of the industrial marketplace?

The evidence suggests the workforce is especially flexible. In 1996 the country had 500 software engineers. Today, Ireland has the highest number of computer science graduates per 100,000 in the OECD and is now a location of choice for eight of the world's top ten software companies.

It's also worth noting that 60% of all third level students graduate with science, engineering, or business degrees, and a significant number are proficient in more than one language.

"The Irish have a healthy appetite for learning and a great respect for education "