Task Force report IT shortages

The Northern Ireland Skills Task Force has published a report on potential skills shortages in the IT and Electronic Engineering sectors.

The report was commissioned by the Department for Employment and Learning to investigate the supply of graduates with suitable qualifications for employment in these sectors.

Welcoming the publication of the report, the Chairman of the Northern Ireland Skills Task Force, Bill McGinnis OBE, said: "The Report draws attention to a number of factors which impact on career decisions. In the case of the sectors in question, it identified subject choice at secondary school level as the major influence.

"The research shows that disproportionately fewer women, and to a much lesser extent Catholics, have been taking Maths and Science subjects at ‘A’ level. In the case of the latter group, the difference has been narrowing over time. Interestingly the report shows that females fared better at Maths and Science than males, that the fall-off can be found between GCSE and ‘A’ Level, and that fewer females achieving the necessary entry-level qualifications apply for IT and Electronic Degree courses.

"At present the labour market is on something of a plateau and the demands for the skills identified in the report have eased. However, as we look to the future it is essential that Northern Ireland is able to provide the skills for what are likely to be the fast growing areas."

The ongoing research programme of the NI Skills Task Force has examined current and forecast future skills shortages in the IT, Mechanical and Electronic Engineering sectors.

The Department for Employment and Learning commissioned the report ‘Potential Skills Shortages in the Northern Ireland IT and Electronic Engineering Sectors – and Inequalities in Educational Uptake’ to investigate the supply of graduates with suitable qualifications for employment in the IT and Electronic Engineering sectors.

The report concentrates on inequalities in the uptake of Mathematical and Engineering subjects at secondary school level by gender and religion, tracing how they evolve through the education system and impact on the future supply of IT and Electronic Engineering graduates.

(MB)