The latest DCU IT job survey shows that the number of job vacancies in the sector is 13,900 - an increase of 26% on the last survey in May 2006. "While jobs are being lost in other sectors this shows the strength of employment prospects for computer graduates", according to DCU IT expert, Professor Michael Ryan. These figures are based on 16,300 advertisements for IT jobs in Ireland currently appearing on the World Wide Web, adjusted for multiple advertisements for some jobs and multiple jobs in some advertisements.

This series of DCU surveys began in May 2005, revealing 8,000 IT vacancies. The current level of vacancies advertised is up a whopping 74% on the first survey.

The jobs cover a wide spectrum, including roles such as Web Developer, Senior Software Engineer, Embedded Software Developer, Systems Analyst, Financial Software Developer, Game Developer, IT Project Management, IT Sales, and Technical Support. Some of them require a number of years prior experience, others are available for recent college graduates. The variety of activities involved reflects the growing importance of IT to all aspects of the economy.

DCU Professor Michael Ryan says: "The World Wide Web is now the principal medium for advertising IT job vacancies here. It allows companies attract suitable personnel from abroad when they are unable to find Irish candidates, as is often the case. It is paradoxical that having put such effort into creating high level attractive jobs, now that we have succeeded we cannot find Irish people to fill them."

Professor Ryan points out that an independent study carried out by CNN's Money Magazine (http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bestjobs/index.html) has identified 'Software Engineer' as the best job in the USA, based on factors such as growth prospects, choice of work, and salary, well ahead of medicine, the law, and even college professor

"This is the kind of career opportunity that today's young Irish people are passing up. They seem stuck on the dot com fiasco, now ancient history in this business, instead of looking at the future, where everything from entertainment to medical care to management will involve computers and software. The opportunities are vast. People with imagination and an entrepreneurial spirit who understand the technology are going to do extremely well."

The Government's Expert Skills Group's Report (October 2003) predicted a shortfall of between 1,217 and 2,313 in the supply of graduates in 2010, but the gap now seems likely to be significantly larger. It will be filled by graduates from abroad, and already there have been Government initiatives aimed at facilitating work permits for those coming into the sector.

Professor Ryan said "Part of the problem is a lack of understanding of what computing involves. It's a far cry from the image of the 'nerd' hunched over a computer keyboard - you are more likely to find our graduates managing their own companies, or acting as consultants or senior technical managers. Many of them are very successful women. Because the technology crops up everywhere, computing courses involve a broad foundation across a range of application areas, and are educational in a broad sense. The courses develop abilities in critical thinking, in problem solving, organization, and management as well as an understanding of the technology, and provide a solid educational foundation for many kinds of careers."

Whatever the reasons for the lack of Irish computing graduates to fill the advertised jobs, the sector is clearly developing strongly, and will need many more well-qualified people. The future is exciting. According to Professor Ryan "when it comes to computing, we have seen nothing yet".

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