Future-proofing Irish IT: The essential role of soft skills

Summary

1. Soft skills are now essential, not optional, for agility and success in the Irish tech sector. "Transversal" skills like communication and leadership are crucial at all levels, and L&D plays a key role in balancing technical and human development. 

2. At an organisational level, soft skill development leads to smoother operations, lowered turnover, improved productivity, and more effective leadership. 

3. Skilled employees benefit from enhanced career progression, increased job satisfaction, and greater overall employability including internal mobility. 

4. L&D professionals can champion balancing vital soft skills with “hard” technical know-how. This ensures the Irish tech sector remains competitive and future-ready.

Soft skills as a superpower in the Irish tech sector

Problem solving, effective communication, relationship building, and resiliency: these skills aren’t just tick boxes at recruitment, they are the daily driving force powering successful teams and organisations in the Irish tech sector. 

Technical prowess has long been a requirement for Irish IT companies and employees across every sector need a working understanding in emerging business critical skills. Continuous training for staff across evolving technical skills, such as AI and cybersecurity, has become the new normal.

But, according to the respondents of Workday's recent global study, ‘Elevating Human Potential - the AI Skills Revolution,’ many organisations are lacking some key skills they need to benefit fully from new technologies such as AI. And the missing skills aren't technical – they are soft skills like cultural awareness, adapting to change, and strategic planning.

The Irish Employers Federation, IBEC, sums it up: "Soft skills are no longer optional. Instead, they are essential." 

Transversal soft skills and L&D's role in balancing the tech equation

1. Hard skills need frequent updates. Research suggests the half-life of technical skills is shrinking; technical training is often no longer relevant within 2.5 - 5 years. 

2. Soft skills, however, aren't just for one role, department or industry. They're "transversal" – meaning the benefits they offer work everywhere and will continue to work over time. 

Technical proficiency is crucial in the Irish tech sector, for both day-to-day work and innovation, but human-centric skills are also vital for business agility and career progression. The 2025 Future of Jobs report found analytical thinking remains the top core skill sought by employers, followed by resilience, flexibility and agility, along with leadership and social influence. 

Interpersonal skills – such as communication, leadership, creativity, resilience, and critical thinking - can not and will not be replaced by AI. So, when the pressure is on to keep up with disruption, it’s crucial to invest in both up-to-minute technical needs and longer-lasting soft skills.  

The immediate impact of soft skills may seem less tangible than “hard” technical skill training but they’re no less important. They shape how well teams will work together and how organisations as a whole are placed to approach change, challenges and opportunities.

3 crucial soft skills for the tech sector: 

As technological advancement automates routine tasks, there is a rising demand for the capabilities only a person can provide. Skills such as effective communication, strategic thinking, and adaptability are becoming key human advantages in the digital age. 

Communication skills

Training for effective business communication isn’t just about accurately exchanging information. It also empowers teams to master conflict management when project pressures mount and to influence effectively when championing new ideas. Communications training hones networking skills, which are key to connecting within the tech ecosystem, and builds cultural awareness, indispensable when collaborating with international partners or servicing a global client base. 

In a sector often characterised by complex technical jargon, the ability to tailor ideas and express them in a way that is clear and concise to your audience is invaluable.

Strategic thinking and leadership

Seeing the bigger picture, making plans for the long haul, and getting your team onboard and moving forward: investments made in leadership and management training, and associated skills such as mentoring and coaching, clearly benefit the organisation as a whole. Lacking this strength has drawbacks: Gallup’s meta-analysis of 100 million employee interviews found 70% of the variance between the highest engaged teams and persistently disengaged teams is down to one thing – how their manager manages them.

In Ireland's competitive tech talent market, developing confident leaders doesn't just improve project delivery; it's key to fostering a culture where people want to stay, work, learn, and contribute to the big strategic goals, from scaling a start-up to expanding global operations.

Adaptability 

The tech sector is characterised by constant change. New technologies emerge, market trends shift, and project requirements evolve rapidly. Adaptability and resilience are the ability to embrace change rather than resist it. 

The advancing nature of AI integration and data analysis, for example, require professionals to constantly upskill. The ability to adapt to changes, learn new skills quickly, and remain resilient in the face of uncertainty is a crucial soft skill for individuals and organisations alike. Associated skills, such as change management, are essential for strategic planning and for implementing changes successfully, so organisations can reach their goals. 

Making the hard case for soft skills

From a Learning and Development perspective, soft skill development is a powerful tool for improving both performance and retention. 

• Employees who feel supported in their professional growth are more likely to be engaged and committed to their organisations. 

• Investing in programs that enhance communication, collaboration, and leadership skills can foster a productive and supportive work environment, reducing employee turnover and the high associated costs of recruitment and retraining.

Soft skills and hard skills work best when they complement each other. L&D’s role is crucial in making sure there's a balance between “hard” technical know-how and vital “soft” human skills. 

This will ensure that Irish tech companies don't just have a technically skilled workforce, but a well-rounded one equipped with the human skills needed to thrive today and tomorrow. 

Show me the ROI: How soft skills create tangible business benefits 

• Smoother day-to-day operations: Clear communications mitigate conflict, increase employee engagement, and improve client relations. Clarity around collaborations mean projects run more smoothly, with fewer misunderstandings and delays. 

• Promoting productivity and innovation: A McKinsey study found that effective communication between connected team members improves productivity by up to 25%. Project management research shows organisations that prioritise training in soft skills are significantly better at completing projects. Teams with strong interpersonal skills - who communicate well, listen to each other, and feel comfortable sharing ideas - are more likely to work well together and collaborate effectively on creative solutions.  

• Stronger leadership: Good leaders are better able to delegate, give and accept feedback, and motivate themselves and others to reach their targets. Empathy helps leaders understand the concerns and motivations of their teams, and to manage difficult conversations and disputes productively. Research shows that when successful companies are searching for top leaders they prioritise one skillset above all others: strong social skills. 

• Lowered turnover: Providing high-quality employee development programs can help businesses attract and retain key talent; imc Learning found 92% percent of job seekers will choose a business that provides robust training over a similar option. 52% have left a role due to a lack of development opportunities - and 86% said they’d stay with their current employer for longer if frequent training opportunities were available. 

The bottom line is that in the Irish tech sector, hard skills will always be important. But the companies that truly thrive will be the ones that also recognise the power of people skills. 

By shifting the sole focus off technical skills, and investing in transversal soft skills, organisations create an organisational mindset that is proactive, rather than reactive, which is vital for thriving in times of change.

For L&D professionals, championing the balancing of soft skills with hard skills is the key to unlocking the full potential of organisations, boosting careers, and keeping the best talent right here in Ireland. 

Are you ready to tackle turbulence in your organisation, and drive a solution through L&D? Chat to us about how we can support you with our short course options and customised solutions designed to close your most pressing skills gaps here.