By Derry Cronin, Group Operations Director, EHS International
Over the past year, I have spent a great deal of time on client sites and in conversations with teams across Ireland and the UK. A clear pattern has emerged. As organisations look ahead to 2026, the pressure to secure and retain skilled EHS, compliance, and sustainability professionals is becoming one of the biggest operational challenges they face.
Many senior leaders have said the same thing to me during recent visits. Regulatory expectations are rising, internal systems need strengthening, and teams are already stretched. At the same time, candidates are looking for employers who offer meaningful work, real development, and a clear commitment to safety, environment, and overall values. The gap between what organisations need and what the market can supply is widening.
Across client and candidate discussions this year, the following roles come up repeatedly as difficult to source and central to next year’s plans:
- EHS Advisors and Managers
- Environmental and Sustainability Specialists
- ESG and reporting professionals
- Carbon and energy roles
- Compliance and governance positions
- Behavioural safety specialists
- Fire, emergency response, and safety technicians
- Sector specific specialists across construction, manufacturing, pharma, and utilities
These role types reflect the pressure many organisations are already under and the increased technical demands emerging across every sector.
The feedback varies by industry, but a few strong themes are consistent:
- Construction teams are struggling to find experienced advisors who can support large projects, manage temporary works, and maintain the higher level of site control now expected.
- Manufacturing sites are raising concerns about environmental compliance capacity, particularly around emissions, waste management, and monitoring.
- Pharma and life sciences are preparing for a heavier ESG and reporting load and need people who understand both regulation and day to day operational realities.
- Technology and data centre operators are focusing on energy performance, carbon management, and emergency readiness.
- Utilities and infrastructure clients are finding it difficult to source specialists who can manage risk across wide and dispersed networks.
These are grounded operational challenges, raised openly in meetings over the last number of months.
When clients ask what future skills they should be preparing for, the same areas come up again and again:
- Digital and data capability in reporting and compliance
- Carbon literacy and climate related risk awareness
- ESG governance knowledge aligned with upcoming requirements
- Behavioural safety and culture improvement
- Systems thinking across environment, risk, and sustainability
- Strong emergency readiness, especially in areas such as lithium-ion battery risk
Many organisations are already investing in upskilling to fill these gaps internally, recognising that capability building will be as important as recruitment.
During site visits this year, several risk areas have been raised repeatedly, each influencing workforce planning:
- Lithium-ionbattery safety and storage
- Emergency response preparedness
- Contractor management and site oversight
- Increased governance and ESG transparency
- Safety culture, leadership visibility, and day to day worker behaviour
These themes are now directly impacting the level of expertise organisations need to operate safely and effectively heading into 2026.
Alongside the challenge of attracting new talent, many clients have raised concerns about holding onto the people they already have. Teams tend to stay longer where they see:
- A clear and realistic development path
- Visible commitment to safety and sustainability
- Opportunities to broaden their skills
- Supportive leadership and open communication
- A genuine sense of belonging
Strengthening these areas now will reduce turnover pressures and create a more stable, resilient workforce.
One message has been consistent in every conversation this year. Organisations want clarity, capability, and confidence as they plan for 2026. Those who act early, resource their teams properly, and invest in developing the right skills will be best placed to manage a fast changing operational landscape.
For organisations seeking practical guidance on workforce planning, system improvements, or emerging regulatory demands, EHS International is available to support at every stage. Whether you need help defining the right roles, strengthening internal capability, or navigating new risk areas, we are here to help you move forward with confidence.
Reach out to myself or any of the team at:
- Cork Office | Phone: +353 (0)21 206 6006
- Dublin Office | Phone: +353 1 905 8899
- London Office | Phone: +44 204 534 7550
