In January, the National Council for Educational Awards (NCEA) held a very successful conference entitled Skills Shortages in Science-based Industries in Ireland – Myth or Reality? at the Institute of Technology Tallaght. It was attended by over 60 delegates from the Institutes of Technology, private colleges, industry and public sector bodies.

The conference was officially opened by the NCEA Chairman, Dr Mary Upton, and the keynote address was given by Dr Chris Horn, Chairman of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Dr Horn’s paper highlighted the findings of the Expert Group in relation to the future demands for technologists within the Information Technology sector.

Papers were also presented on skills needs in the Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industrial sector, the Physics/Instrumentation sector and the Computing sector.

Mr Matt Moran, Director of IBEC’s Irish Pharmaceutical and Chemical Manufacturers Federation (IPCMF), reported that results of a survey carried out on a sample of 33 companies revealed that employment will grow by 34% in the sector in the next three years, and that companies forecast difficulties in filling 28% of these positions.

Ms Jennifer Condon, Director, National Software Directorate (http://www. nsd.ie) gave an overview of the growth and dynamism of the Irish Software Industry. She reported that Ireland has almost 700 software companies and is the second largest exporter of software in the World after the United States. Ms Condon highlighted the importance of the Industrial and Educational sectors in working closely together in adequately addressing future skills requirements. Ways of increasing the skills pool include flexible approaches to learning, improvement of third level completion rates, re-training and in-company training.

Professor Lee Harvey, Director, Centre for Research into Quality, University of Central England  (http://www. uce.ac.uk/crq) presented research findings which suggested several ways in which higher education and employers could help students be successful at work.

Mr Pat Timpson, Head of the School of Science, Institute of Technology Sligo, presented a paper on the trends of student intake into third-level science courses. The paper reported the serious decline in the number of first preferences for science (chemistry, physics, biology) courses in Institutes of Technology, DIT and Universities. In the former, first preferences have declined by 21% in the past three years.

The conference concluded with a lively plenary discussion and debate. The importance of co-operation between the policy makers, industrialists and educational and training groups was highlighted.

Contact: Further information from Dr Marian O’Sullivan;
E-mail: mosullivan@ncea.ie