The latest figures in Northern Ireland’s monthly Labour Market Report provided an optimistic outlook for the country’s jobs market as unemployment levels continue to fall; according to Neal Lucas, managing director of executive search firm Neal Lucas Recruitment.

Writing in the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Lucas believes that while the jobs outlook is good, higher pay jobs could help push Northern Ireland’s employment market and economy forward.

He wrote: We've come a long way since 2010, where we experienced a slowdown in job market churn - the roles generated by people moving within the market rather than those created by new or developing organisations.

This caused stagnation and many strong candidates became frustrated by the lack of opportunity and either left the market altogether by moving away or put their careers on hold until the market began to move again.

Northern Ireland is a good place to be for job opportunities today. SMEs continue to thrive, however, we lack larger corporate positions that can support the development of ambitious local employees and attract successful members of the diaspora home.

However, statistics also revealed that median gross weekly earnings over the year to April 2014, for all employees in Northern Ireland, decreased by 2.2%, while the UK saw a growth of 0.6%. This is worrying and a reminder that we need to see an increase in higher-salaried jobs to drive the private sector forward.

All too often, skilled and experienced candidates are forced to move across the water. If candidates wish to progress, enhance their skills and achieve their career goals and that means they have to move, then so be it. The problem with this reality is that when they look to return home, there aren't always appropriate executive level jobs for them.

For Mr Neal, a dynamic economy will ensure a vibrant job market where people will get opportunities to develop their skills and companies will be able to source talented people.