County Kerry is home to over 70 companies in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) sectors, resulting in a strong demand for employees with those skillsets. However, it is competing with Dublin, Cork and Galway to attract employees and the county is not as well known for career opportunities.

In a post COVID-19 era, it is hoped that it will be easier to sell the lifestyle benefits of a career in the Kingdom to those living in cities.

“All of our members and partners working together to raise our reputation as a STEM hotspot is starting to pay dividends – the talent is coming, with candidates realising that you can have a great career and lifestyle here in Kerry,” said Aoife O’Brien from Kerry SciTech, an organisation that has over 50 STEM companies as members.

The county also boasts large global players such as JRI America, who now employ more than 170 people in their offices in Tralee

The region is home to companies such as Fexco, Dairymaster, TriCel, Tweak.com, Netfeasa, Aspen Grove Solutions, PulseLearning and FreeFlow.

“The county also boasts large global players such as JRI America, who now employ more than 170 people in their offices in Tralee. There is also a vibrant start-up and small to medium enterprise (SME) sector, which includes businesses that are beginning to make their mark internationally.

“Yet, many of these are little-known facts to those both inside and outside the region and has at times hampered our companies’ efforts to attract and retain talent,” Aoife said.

In October 2019, Kerry SciTech partnered with recruitment website Jobbio. Over 150 jobs were posted and they received over 1,000 applications “demonstrating that talent is interested in Kerry as a career destination.”

A survey of over 250 professionals who have recently relocated to Kerry, carried out by national recruitment and human resources (HR) services group Collins McNicholas, was released in March this year.

Respondents stated that the main reasons they relocated to Kerry were the quality of life, supportive family structures and a safe environment

The report includes responses from those who relocated from 15 different countries, including Australia, Canada, US, Portugal, Spain, Poland and South Africa.

Respondents stated that the main reasons they relocated to Kerry were the quality of life, supportive family structures and a safe environment. In many cases, respondents said they actually moved to the Kerry region to advance their career. In fact, 83% of respondents moved into a similar or more senior role than the one they held before moving.

Just over half of those surveyed (51%) said that their commute to work is now 20 minutes or less. Four out of five (88%) of those who responded are degree-qualified or above and 71% of respondents have six or more years’ industry experience. Nearly three-quarters said that they now enjoy a similar or lower cost of living, with 79% experiencing a similar or increased level of disposable income.

“It is a tight knit, proud community and it is this community spirit and willingness to roll up sleeves together that is driving Kerry and has always driven Kerry.

“That inherent entrepreneurial spirit is the backbone of business within the county – coupled with a very attractive lifestyle and lower cost of living is a winning combination,” Aoife says.