Techie Action Plan Launched

The Education Minister has launched the Joint Government Industry Action Plan for IT jobs on Monday in attempt to boost skills in the sector.

Ruairi Quinn and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton launched the action plan saying that it provided the "right skills at the right time for the right jobs" and was essential to get the Irish economy back on its feet.

“We need to take action to develop a sustainable domestic supply of high level ICT skills over time to drive the further expansion and development of the sector and to support innovation and growth across other sectors of the economy," Mr Quin said.

He added: "I’m very pleased to announce today that more than 750 places are being made available on 17 new graduate skills conversion programmes across the country. People can apply for a place today, through the Bluebrick website, for courses commencing in March."

The Action Plan also sets out how to build the supply and quality of graduates in the medium term to long term. It establishes an ambitious target of doubling the annual output of ICT graduates from 1,000 this year to 2,000 by 2018.

Minister Richard Bruton added: "The Government’s plan to get jobs and growth back into the country will have no ‘big bang’ solution, but will require transformation across all sectors and a brick-by-brick rebuilding of the economy.

"A key part of this will be to get the greatest possible benefit out of the strengths we have, and the ICT sector, where there are over 1000 vacancies and great potential for future growth, provides a major opportunity for employment if we can provide the necessary skills."

(DW/GK)