Ibec adresses issues driving labour shortages in Limerick and the Mid-West

CAPACITY constraints and labour supply are the key challenges facing business growth in the Mid-West.

That’s according to the business group Ibec, who has called on the government to focus on enhancing quality of life issues such as housing and infrastructure, which are driving labour shortages in the region.

The call came as Ibec hosted leading voices in regional business at The Dunraven Arms in Adare as part of their Regional Insights series.

Ibec’s Head of Regional Policy, Helen Leahy said that the group’s vision for the Mid-West is to realise its potential to become a globally competitive location.

“An inadequate supply of affordable housing is now the single largest impediment to attracting and retaining talented workers, without whom business investment and expansions are not possible,” Ms Leahy said.

According to her, labour shortages are a real concern for business in the region.

Lost records of Limerick Clothing Factory found in former worker's attic

“People decide where to live and work based on quality of life and access to high quality services and amenities. Industry tends to follow talent, and in this regard, the region needs to have all the building blocks in place as the attraction and retention of world-class talent becomes increasingly competitive on a global level,” she added.

Sponsored by ESB and OpenEir, the Regional Insight Series heard from expert speakers, including Ibec’s CEO, Danny McCoy, members of the Ibec Executive Director Team, as well as leading voices in businesses in the Mid-West in a bid to explore new ways to drive regenerative growth in the region.

The series presents a unique opportunity for senior business leaders and key stakeholders to get insights, share ideas and discuss the pressing challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for businesses in the region.

Ibec's priorities for the Mid-West region include addressing housing and infrastructure challenges, transitioning towards a new growth model, adapting businesses to the new economic realities, as well as enhancing capacity and skillsets to achieve sustainable development objectives.

The group also aims to invest in people and skills, while creating competitive advantage through digitalisation. For them, innovation is a key driver of productivity growth and they also aim to offer a fresh take on the drivers of economic prosperity.