Engineering

Women in STEM make up just 12% of engineering professionals in Ireland. Efforts to address the low level of female engagement in the sector include initiatives like Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme, as well as increased diversity and inclusion strategies implemented by end clients. These initiatives appear to be yielding results, with a marked growth in the number of women contracting in the engineering sector. The percentage of women contracting in the engineering sector has been increasing from 7% in 2021 to 22% in 2025.

The average age of contractors in the engineering sector is 43 years, slightly younger than the average age of all contractors which is 45 years. The percentage of contractors under 39 years has increased by 10% since 2024, showing that contractors are entering the sector younger than previously reported. 69% of contractors in 2025 were under 50 whereas only 46% were under 50 years in 2024.

All engineering sector respondents in 2025 hold at least a Level 6 qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications. The percentage of those with bachelor’s degrees has risen to 47% (up from 32% in 2024), while 31% hold master’s degrees (up from 27% in 2024). Meanwhile, the number of respondents with ‘other professional qualifications’ has declined from 20% in 2024 to 13% in 2025.

75% of engineering contractors in 2025 are satisfied with their life in general. Engineering contractors were asked about their satisfaction with 7 key areas of their working lives. Overall engineering contractors remain satisfied about their working lives, they are most satisfied with the rate of pay at 88%, followed by flexibility of hours at 81%, the location of the job at 71%, and remote working options at 67%. The lowest satisfaction score was work life balance at 58% – this factor also received the lowest satisfaction rating from engineering contractors in 2023 at 71%.

90% of engineering contractors agree that their experience is in demand in the labour market, only 41% agreed it would be easy to find another contract.

Engineering contractors have a positive attitude towards the contracting sector with over half (55%) of participants stating they think the contracting sector will increase in the next 3-5 years. 30% of respondents believe that the Irish economy will perform better in 2025 compared to 2024. Just 7% of contractors believe the contracting sector will decrease in the next 3-5 years, while 30% of engineering contractors expect the Irish economy to perform worse this year than last.