2,500 IT jobs unfilled despite 450,000 on dole

MORE than 2,500 jobs in Ireland’s booming technology sector remain unfilled at a time when close to 450,00 people are on the Live Register.

In addition, up to 500 nursing posts are vacant in private nursing homes around the country and that figure is expected to rise to 1,400 over the next 12 months.

The extent of employment opportunity in IT was highlighted yesterday at the launch of a new industry-linked digital media programme — WebElevate — designed to plug the digital skills gap in a sector where the pace of development is far outstripping the ability of third-level institutions to keep up with demand for suitably qualified graduates.