Building firms are finding it consistently difficult to hire quantity surveyors and site managers, the country's leading think-tank reported today.
Following a similar pattern noted in the last number of months, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) said the construction sector had more trouble filling posts than any other major employer.
Other staff that have proved hard to find include machinists and general operatives, managers and sales personnel in the retail sector, and supervisors and receptionists.
The FAS/ESRI Employment and Vacancies Survey for November found employer sentiment about future openings in their firms had increased but remained pessimistic.
Construction bosses are optimistic about future employment levels in their firms, but the service sector noted a decline, with 5 per cent more employers anticipating a fall rather than a rise in vacancies.
Employers in the retail sector feel employment levels will decrease rather than increase over the coming months.
Overall the percentage of private sector firms with vacancies went up significantly with 19 per cent reporting openings, compared to 12 per cent in October.
The amount of retail and industry sector firms with vacancies increased slightly, while there was a 10 per cent jump in firms in the service sector with vacancies.