The 2011 Irish census will show a worrying change from the 2006 survey. Whereas then, Ireland was a young country with a lot of highly-skilled people in employment, this updated national survey will indicate the country’s high unemployment, and high emigration levels. Should we be fearful? We must remember that media headlines are designed to catch our eye and grab our attention. With huge multi-national information technology companies like Google, Microsoft, Dell, Apple, HP, and Facebook operating from these shores, there is a burgeoning technology sector, which should be cultivated and expanded.
At primary school level, we still have bright young pupils who want to learn and explore new ideas using Microsoft software for schools. Growth in broadband services, cloud-computing, and smartphones have meant that everywhere on the island of Ireland is accessible, all the time, every day of the year. What we need though is more money in the technology education sector. Our young people need to be taught valuable IT skills to put them on career paths that will ensure them work in the industries of the future. This needs to start at the most basic level. Primary and secondary school mathematics needs to be made more accessible and more interesting for students. Maths should not be seen as the difficult subject, leading to the “ah it’s grand, I’ll do pass” mentality that is seen in the majority of Irish schools.
Without a grounding in maths, Ireland can not cater for these future technologies. A recent Higher Education Authority survey also showed how computer science courses had the highest dropout rates of all third level courses. This is also something that needs to be addressed.
Rebuild The Pier
Cloud-computing makes a lot of things easier for companies, thus lowering operating costs. This opens that capital to be spent on hiring more staff and expanding the company. IT is the one sector that continues to grow, despite a worldwide recession, and total headcount is expected to grow by 5% in the IT sector for this year. This trend will continue, with salaries actually expected to increase by 10% too. So rather than emigrate, Irish young people should look to the information technology sector to ensure that they can stay at home with their friends and families, and actually make some good money by doing so. If Ireland embraces cloud computing now, as well as restructuring education in maths, there can be a guaranteed future for all of Ireland’s young people. We can continue to be a young, vibrant, educated economy, but only if changes are made now.
Talk to Software Asset Management Ireland today and discover how Edvance can help teachers and students get the most out of Primary School resources. Phone us now on 01 8973100.