Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
•   Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of students with a variety of handicapping conditions.
• Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
• Establish and enforce rules for behavior and policies and procedures to maintain order among students.
• Teach socially acceptable behavior, employing techniques such as behavior modification and positive reinforcement.
• Maintain accurate and complete student records, and prepare reports on children and activities, as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
• Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
• Employ special educational strategies and techniques during instruction to improve the development of sensory- and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory.
• Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
• Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress and to determine priorities for their children and their resource needs.
• Modify the general education curriculum for special-needs students, based upon a variety of instructional techniques and technologies.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: Early Childhood Care & Education, Teaching, Inclusive education, Special needs.  

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include:Early Childhood Care & Education, Teaching, Inclusive education, Special needs.  

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: None available at present. 

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: Early Childhood Care & Education, Teaching, Inclusive education, Special needs.  

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: Teaching, Inclusive education, Special needs.  

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €78k

Salaries vary by entry date, post qualifications, shift pattern, experience, and employer. 

Special needs Asst Childcare: € 25,102 - € 42,190

Primary teacher: €40,635 - €75,871 

Second level: €42,765 -€78,426

Data Source(s):
DES/ ETBI/ TUI/ INTO/ ASTI

Last Updated: February, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Secondary education teaching professionals.  

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2025).

Over the five-year period, employment has increased by 11,000 persons, with an increase of 3,800 persons since 2023 alone. Most employed as secondary teachers were female and working in full-time roles.

The number of recent job hires exceeded employment growth indicating job churn is occurring for these roles, which may be indicative of the shorter-term contracts associated with substitute teaching.

An analysis of education vacancies over the last year shows that the vast majority (96%) of teaching vacancies advertised for roles in post-primary education were fixed term contracts; in addition, the most common subjects listed in the vacancy notifications were maths, Irish, English, and PE. Other frequently mentioned subjects included technology, politics & society and home economics. 

In addition, careers advice in Ireland’s post-primary school system is provided by guidance counsellors, who typically hold both teaching and guidance counselling qualifications, with many combining guidance with subject teaching duties. As such, many guidance professionals are captured in the data within this occupation (secondary teachers) rather than under careers advisers (see final occupation in this group).

The National Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance 2024-2030 is expected to increase the demand for guidance professional services across the system (not just at post primary level), although the number of training places for guidance counsellors is set to double by January 2026. Attracting and retaining second level teachers, particularly for specific subjects, continues to be an issue.  

Skill shortage:

Subject specific secondary teachers

• Department of Education and Skills

  • Marlborough St, Dublin 1
  • (01) 889 6400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• The Teaching Council

  • Block A, Maynooth Business Campus, Maynooth Co. Kildare
  • (01) 651 7900
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• National Council for Special Education

  • 1-2 Mill St, Trim, Co. Meath
  • (046) 9486400
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here