By Dr Eamon Costello
Many reports have highlighted the ICT skills gap in the Irish economy. Shortages of skilled ICT workers are not unique to Ireland, but sectors such as the software development industry, are a particularly important growth area here. The IDA for example tracks 900 Software companies, both multinational and indigenous, which employ 24,000 people and generate €16 billion worth of exports. Ireland has become a European skills hub for ICT.
There are several factors that bring software development jobs here but graduates with specific core skills are particularly important. The joint Government-Industry ICT Action Plan 2014 – 2018 has been targeting funding at specific initiatives to upskill workers. This year, for the first time, the Government are funding a two year part-time Higher Diploma in ICT and DCU have been chosen as a core partner in this welcome initiative. It is an important innovation as now for the first time people with a desire to break into the Irish software industry can do so whilst continuing to work.
It is never too late to change career and graduates with a non-computing related degree now have a great opportunity to upskill and re-invent themselves. Here at Dublin City University we have designed a course of study, in concert with our ICT Industry partners, to give students key skills and competencies in modern software development. With Government support this Higher Diploma in Software Development has no fees and runs over two years part-time. Students study online at a self-directed pace over two years towards their Diploma, learning web development, java programming, modern database design, mobile application development and how to apply these skills in industry with ICT companies.
If you believe you have what it takes to develop your potential in the ICT industry as a software developer we want to help you get there. Applications are now being accepted for the fully-funded Higher Diploma in Science in Software Development at DCU.
For more information and to apply check out https://www.springboardcourses.ie/details/4531
The original article with this think piece was posted by Dr Eamon Costello to his Linkedin account.
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