Concern as students lose interest in joining IT industry

THE main bosses’ organisation warned last night of a looming crisis for the information technology industry following a big fall-off in students opting for computer-related courses at university.

Qualification requirements for hi-tech studies have dropped this year as school-leavers abandon the computer sector in favour of more traditional subjects because of a series of high-profile job losses over the past year.

The Irish Business and Employers’ Confederation (IBEC) said the development will lead to problems for the technology industry, until recently a key feature of the Celtic Tiger economic boom.