School leavers urged to take up IT courses

THE downturn in the technology industry should not discourage young people from taking up college courses in this area, business leaders have warned.

A survey of school leavers has shown that more than a quarter of Leaving Certificate students want to take business and commerce courses. Only 6% were interested in computing or computer science, according to the Forfás’ Expert Group on Future Skill Needs.

Brendan Butler, director of Information and Communications Technology Ireland, said Ireland will lose out when the industry picks up if there are not enough graduates in a few years’ time. The European Commission has predicted there will be 1.7 million IT vacancies in Europe by the end of this year.

“We’re also very concerned that students are moving away from science subjects, it’s very significant that fewer people are taking physics and chemistry at Leaving Cert,” he said.

“People are making decisions based on interpretations of the IT industry as it is now, even though we expect there will be an turnaround in the next two to three years,” said Mr Butler.

A 25% fall in applications to the CAO for computer-related courses last year saw points requirements fall by up to 100 points in some universities and Institutes of Technology.

The MRBI survey for Forfás showed that almost one-in-five school leavers wants to do an arts course. The Government agency is working to encourage more people to consider a career in computing, engineering, science and construction.

However, the survey found only 7% are interested in engineering studies and slightly fewer are interested in construction studies. Science degrees and diplomas only take the interest of around 5% of Leaving Certs, while social science, nursing, law and medicine are less attractive again.

The deadline for CAO applications for college courses beginning next autumn is February 1. The points requirements will be decided and first college places will be offered in August based on Leaving Cert results.