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.

The confederation’s Information and Communications Technology division called for significant additional investment in the education system to head off major skills shortages over the next years.

In a statement, the group said almost 100,000 people are employed in the IT sector in Ireland and exports accounted for almost E31 billion last year. It pointed out that of the 10 top software companies in the world, seven had substantial operations in Ireland.

ICT Ireland director Brendan Butler added: “This competitive advantage is now being eroded and the decline must be redressed if we are to retain our attractiveness as a location of choice for foreign-based companies.”

He said, “A recent report by a government-appointed expert group on future skills needs estimated that in the ICT sector there will be annual shortfall of about 2,500 professionals and 800 technicians between 2002 and 2005.”

While there is concern at the technology fall-off, more traditional sectors are delighted at renewed interest among school leavers.

The first-round offers show points requirements for many general nursing courses rising by up to 30 points on last year. This reflects a one-third increase in people applying for additional places created under a Government programme to attract more people into the profession.

There was a slight rise in point levels for teaching courses at St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, and Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick.

Both these statistics come against a background of industrial unrest in health and education in recent years.

The Irish Nurses’ Organisation said there is a clear indication that the Government’s investment in the new nursing degree programme at 13 universities, institutes of technology and other colleges is already paying off.

“The key matter now is to make sure that we can keep these young people to work at home when they begin qualifying,” said INO general secretary, Liam Doran.