Jobs increased in primary schools, farms, auctioneering

PRIMARY SCHOOL teachers, farmers and auctioneers were among the occupations which witnessed employment growth between 2006 and 2011, according to the latest CSO census figures.

The highest percentage growth recorded during last April’s census was among auctioneers/other sales representatives, where the figures had grown by almost 77 per cent since the census in 2006.

There was also significant growth among local government clerical officers whose numbers grew from 10,116 in 2006 to 16,564 in 2011, a 63.7 per cent increase.

Within the education system, the number of educational assistants grew by almost 53 per cent in the five-year period, bringing to 4,906 the number employed in that sector. Primary and nursery teachers meanwhile reported 31 per cent growth, bringing the total number employed to 40,989.

Computer programmers, marketing managers, care assistants and accountants all saw increases – of 29 per cent, 24 per cent, 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.

Medical device manufacturers recorded the highest employment growth in the manufacturing sector with an increase of 10 per cent from 22,160 to 24,305.

Farmers also saw an increase, with the number of farm managers and owners rising by 9 per cent in that period.

The sector boasting the lowest unemployment rate was gardaí, where fewer than 1 per cent were unemployed. Others with solid employment rates included those working in hospitals (just 2.2 per cent unemployed) and dentists (just 2.3 per cent).

Unsurprisingly, bricklayers and masons, plasterers and building labourers fared worst, with more than a 70 per cent drop in each category. The data revealed that almost two-thirds of plasterers, 62.6 per cent of building/civil engineer labourers and 62 per cent of bricklayers and masons were out of work. Just over half of roofers, slaters, tilers, sheeters and cladders were also unemployed.

Jobs in the manufacture of fabricated metal products dropped by almost 11,000 to 12,177. Among service occupations, bar staff fell from 14,103 to 11,452, a decline of 19 per cent, with waiters and waitresses down 13 per cent to 12,269.