Andrew Carey
2015 could see up to 60,000 jobs added to the SME sector as signs of a positive recovery to the economy continue to indicate that the sector is in a period of slight growth, according to a new quarterly report released.
ISME’s (Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Assoc) survey shows that the sector continues a gradual positive recovery, with only one of the twelve indicators showing a slight decrease. The results follow on from a general positive survey in the autumn and augur well for a continued but cautious domestic economic recovery in 2015.
The Association advises that less loose talk of increased pay and more real effort in incentivising job creation, reforming the social welfare system and tackling the black economy will assist the Government’s drive for jobs.
Speaking at the launch, Mark Fielding, ISME CEO, said, “Although we have officially been out of recession for some time, SMEs have only really been experiencing positive signs of recovery in the past six months. While the GDP figures have been very positive, the domestic economy, made up in the main by micro, small and medium businesses, has been slow to show signs of recovery. This 4th quarter trends survey is good news and gives a platform from which the SME sector can show a strong performance in 2015”.
“The one note of caution is in the appetite and ability of SMEs to take on more staff. While it is encouraging to see 30% expecting to increase staff in the coming year, another 7% expect to have to reduce staff. This Net 23% is the only reduced trend in all twelve indicators. Having said that, it is possible that a net 60,000 jobs can be created in the SME sector in 2015.”
The survey was conducted in mid-December, with 952 SME respondents. 58% of the respondents employ less than 10, while a further 38% employ between 11 and 50 and the remaining 4% employ between 51 and 250.
“The results of this SME Trends Survey for Q4 2014 gives many reasons for optimism for the future in the SME sector. However the Government must take note of the warnings included in the survey. The two main areas of concern are the doubts over future employment and the rise in concern over the erosion of competitiveness, both of which have the capacity to slow any progress in the coming year. Less loose pre-election posturing on pay increases and more hard work of social welfare and black market issues should be the Government’s New-Year resolutions,” concluded Fielding.
The full results can be viewed here
