Human Resources

A Highly Skilled Adaptable Workforce

“The support we have got from the local community in Leitrim has been fantastic…Leitrim is a breeding ground for very honest, hardworking people”

Ronan Haslette, MD of Merenda, based in North Leitrim

“Two hours from an International airport and within 50kms you have a population of over 300,000 – that is a substantial population”

Joe McHugh, IDA Ireland, on why Leitrim is an ideal investment location

Participation in third level education from County Leitrim is very high. The admission rate in 1992 for County Leitrim was 42% compared to the figure for the state as a whole of 35.9%. This is even more significant when you take into account that Leitrim has not had the advantage of a long established third level in the county. Currently, through the Leitrim Third Level Initiative, a range of top quality courses are offered in Carrick on Shannon from a range of colleges and Universities. This highlights Leitrim’s can-do attitude by finding a means of providing people living and working in the County with an opportunity to study on their door step. A key indicator of a population’s skills is the proportion having tertiary-level scientific and technological qualifications.

According to 2006 Census data, there were 697 persons (2.8%) aged-15 and over in County Leitrim holding a third-level scientific or technological qualification. The table that follows provides a breakdown of this figure by classification.

Industry Training
Many of Leitrim’s workforce also avail of courses provided by FÁS in its regional training centres in Sligo and Athlone. These centres also provide an opportunity to get on the job training for specific industries based on demand from industry.
Quality of Life for Leitrim’s Workforce
It is also recognized that human resources capacity is maximized when you have a happy workforce. Leitrim places a very high emphasis on quality of life. There has been large scale investments in recent years in social infrastructure in the County – such as in sports facilities, arts and culture, playgrounds, parks and in maintaining the high quality landscape that exists in the County. The retail and service sector has also expanded providing a greater level of choice for people and thus contributing to the overall desire to live and work in Leitrim.

“Leitrim is buzzing, hopping with activity..so much to do from nightlife to outdoor activity to drama and theatre, big artists that come here.. Rent a boat…it has absolutely everything”
Tomás Winston, Software Engineer

Key facts on Leitrim’s Population

• Total Population 28,950
• Population under 24 years 9,578 (33%)
• Population Between 25 – 64 years 15,165 (52%)
• Population Over 65 years 4,207 (15%)

The population in the 25-64 years age group increased by almost 20% between 2002 and 2006.