Electricians are Longford's most sought-after trade with 'demand for skilled trades rising
The research analysed three years of Google search data from Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends, covering common trade terms such as 'plumber near me', 'emergency electrician', 'pest control Longford' and 'solar panel installation'.
Electrical work is the most in-demand trade in Longford, and the county has the highest demand for electricians per head anywhere in Ireland, according to new study.
The research analysed three years of average monthly Google search data from Google Keyword Planner and Google Trends, covering common trade and service terms such as 'plumber near me', 'emergency electrician', 'pest control Longford' and 'solar panel installation', among others, across every county in Ireland.
These searches were grouped into nine trade categories by field-service management software Fieldmotion to reveal which services people turn to most when something goes wrong at home or in their business
In Longford, electricians came out on top with 730 searches a month, ahead of plumbing in second on 450 and fire and security third on 270.
Adjusted for population, that works out at around 1,561 searches per 100,000 people, the highest rate for electricians of any county in Ireland.
The single most-searched term in the county is "electricians longford" at 350 month searches, followed by "electricians near me" and "emergency electrician near me", suggesting many of those searches come from people looking for help quickly.
The demand reflects a wider squeeze on the trade nationally. Electricians are among Ireland's most sought-after workers, with growth in housing, renewable energy and EV charging all driving demand at once.
Jerome Finnegan, Managing Director at Fieldmotion, said, “Behind every one of these searches is a homeowner or business trying to find a good tradesperson, often in a hurry.
"Demand for skilled trades is rising fast, but there simply aren't enough people to meet it. For the plumbers, electricians and pest controllers answering the phone, keeping up with that demand is the real challenge.
"With another Leaving Cert class weighing up their options, these numbers are a reminder that the trades offer great career opportunities, with demand that isn't going anywhere.
"An apprenticeship in plumbing, electrical or another trade can be a smart step for anyone willing to take it on.”