Presentation to the Joint Committee on
Jobs Enterprise and Innovation
25th November at 1.45 p.m.
An Industry Initiative
FIT is an industry-led initiative which works in close collaboration
with government departments and national education and training
agencies, local development organisations and a host of community
based organisations.
FIT is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation. The
Initiative develops and promotes technology-based programmes
and career development opportunities for job seekers who have
become detached from the labour market in an increasingly
knowledge-based economy.
•FIT commenced in Dublin in 1999 and now operates across the ROI
and more in Northern Ireland since 2004.
Socio-Economic Purpose
FIT Mission:
FIT’s mission is to promote an inclusive Smart Economy
by creating a fast track to marketable technical skills
for those with the aptitude and ambition to
commence a career in ICT.
Key Partners: SOLAS, ETBs, the IDA, Third Level
Institutions, Leargas, Leader Companies, LESNs, local
development agencies, and community groups.
FIT a Catalyst for Socio-Economic Inclusion
Creating Advantage through Addressing Skill Needs
 Industry Surveys
 Curriculum Development Programme – Industry Experts
 Development of Market-led Curricula / Training Resources and
Progression / Placement Supports
 Focus on Growth Opportunities (technology sector, business
applications, retail and logistics, renewables, hospitality and catering)
 Promoting ‘Smart People with Smart Skills’
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16,500 participated in FIT Training for Employment Programmes
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12,000+ placed in employment
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35,000+ engaged in Digital Inclusion Initiatives
FIT Training for Employment Programmes
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Business Through Computers
Warehousing and Data Entry
IT Office Administration & Design
IT & Customer Care
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
PC Support & Maintenance
IT Retail Sales & Customer Care
IT & Communication Skills
IT & Reception Skills
Programming
Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician
Foundation in Data-Base Management Systems
Advanced Computers and Business Applications
IT Supervisory Management
Cloud Applications & Development
Network Specialist
Games Development
IT Business Systems
Audio Visual Production for Broadcast
Software Quality Assurance Tester
Software Localisation Engineer
Project Management
Virtualisation (VMWare)
CLOUD Technologies
Big Data Applications
CLOUD Infrastructure
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IT & Multi-Media Programme
Contact Centre Support Programme
Internet Securities
IT Technology Sales & Customer Care
Software Test Analyst
Programming 1 - Junior Programmer (.NET)
Programming 2 - Senior Programmer (Java)
Programming 3 - C ++ Specialisation
Customer Service Programme
Mobile Technologies - Developing Apps (Android, Apple)
Train the IT Trainer
Big Data Applications
ICT Information & Internet Securities
Web Technologies
Programming 4 – (C# Specialisation)
Culinary Skills
Off-shore Wind Turbine Technician
Web Development Technician (HTML / Java)
Creative Media Technologies (AR / 3D)
Digital Marketing
Cisco Certified Professionals
Web and Relational Data-bases
Medical Device Maintenance
Medical Inventory Management
Medical Sales & Distribution
Games Development
Mobile Technologies II (Windows 7)
Technology sector is a ‘broad church’
The technology sector is widely associated with requirements for more STEM graduates - Not
an accurate representation of its requirements or of the employment opportunities it has
open.
75% of the vacancies identified in the FIT ICT Skills Audit 2014 were at Entry & Competent
Levels requiring ‘Smart People with Smart Skills’ - the majority of which can be filled
through tailored technology programmes at L5 + L6 on the NFQ
The technology sector provides a multitude of different and interesting jobs for - both
women and men – the technically minded setting up, configuring & securing networks /
infrastructure; the arithmetically minded building programmes and creating apps; the
creative / artistic working in the sphere of online media, marketing and design; the ‘people
minded’ building relationships in sales, customers services and support; the entrepreneurs in
trading online; even the geographers are helping us navigate the globe in the comfort of our
cars; and so on it goes.
CEDEFOP estimates that just 35% of jobs in European economies over the coming years will
necessitate high level skills, while 50% will need medium level skills and 15% low level skills.
Similarly, it is estimated that two thirds of the future skill needs of the US economy, trading in
a high tech world, will be for jobs in the mid-to-low skills range (Holzer & Lerman).
IT Infrastructure
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Operating Systems: Windows, UNIX and Linux.
Hardware: Dell, HP, Lenovo etc.
Databases: Oracle, SQL Server, Sybase, DB2.
Networks: Switches, Routers, Firewalls-Main company e.g. Cisco
Security: Symantec, Norton, McAfee etc.
Sample Career Path….IT Infrastructure
2nd Line Technical
Support
Desktop Support
Technical Specialist
(Cisco, DBA, IT
Security, etc.)
Team Leader
Technical Architect
1st Line Technical
Support
Field Services
Engineer
Systems
Administrator
IT/Infrastructure
Manager
CTO
Software Development
Incorporating engineering, programming, applications developing, etc.
Software Development Life Cycle: Scoping, Analysis, Development,
Testing, Implementation (Go-Live), Post-Implementation
Software Development Tools: .NET(C#, VB.NET, ASP.NET), Java C/C++,
SQL/Oracle, Cobol, ASP, Perl, AS400 etc.
Web-based languages such as PHP, Ruby on Rails, Python, HTML5 etc.
Career Paths in Development
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QA/Tester
Developer/Programmer
Business/Systems Analyst
Project Manager
Other areas in IT
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ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)
Organisation wide IT systems that allow key business functions to work and
communicate with each other e.g finance, marketing and HR to integration.
Many ERP products in the marketplace such as SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle, Baan,
Navision, etc.
2.
CRM (Customer Relationship Management)
Similar to ERP but focused on customer management / support. Popular CRM
products include Salesforce, Siebel, etc.
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Business Intelligence / Datawarehousing / Cloud
Computing / Big Data
Increasing demand as data becomes an income
generator
In-demand technologies include SQL Server, Azure,
EMC, VMWare, SAP et.
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Internet of Things (IoT) – Next Revolution
Wearable Technologies e.g. Google-glasses, SmartWatches etc.
ICT Permeates all Industry Sectors
‘Information technology and business are
becoming inextricably interwoven. I don't think
anybody can talk meaningfully about one without
the talking about the other.’
Bill Gates
FIT ICT Skills Audit 2014 – Future Proofing!
1. Present a clear picture of what specific ICT skills are most needed in Ireland in
2014 and 2015
2. Give an understanding of the relative demand at different levels of expertise
3. Assist the education and training sector in developing further education
programmes and in guiding their potential participants
4. Inform prospective ICT practitioners be they young people, those who are
unemployed, or those considering a career change
5. Give the ICT sector a coherent overview of the skills needs of the sector as a
whole
6. Inform national / regional development agencies and assist them in creating
their development strategies.
7. Assist policy makers in developing suitable policy responses, identifying
priorities and putting in place effective funding strategies
KEY FINDINGS:
Based 61 company respondents (multi-nationals + SME’s) - 30,000+ employees - 30% of
those employed in the sector.
 Currently 7,000 vacancies - 75% for entry / competent level skill sets.
 Much of demand can be addressed through technology programmes from 6 – 24
months at L5 /L6 NFQ.
 Consensus that the concept of ‘Smart People with Smart Skills’ be promoted as a
means of widening interest in ICT careers - Companies want engage with
appropriate interventions which address skill needs in a timely and efficient manner
 Multi-national companies indicated greater confidence in the pipeline of tech skills
would enable them to compete for further business development opportunities for
Ireland – while indigenous companies require greater access to skills to grow their
businesses.
 Need to draw on the large pool of job seekers with the experience and acumen to
work within the sector - providing them with (re)skills training responsive to the
varied roles available.
Skill Needs Analysis
1. Programming / Development
Support Tools
7. Digital /Creative Media
2. Mobile Technology / Development
Platform
8. Networking / PC Maintenance
3. Web Development / Technologies
9. CRM
4. Software Development Tools &
Methodologies
10. Contact Centre Support
5. Cloud Computing
11. Digital Marketing
6. Platform Administration
12. Project Management
Granular Analysis
Addressing Industry Skill Needs
LEVEL OF SKILL REQUIRED
(ALL DISCIPLINES)
Competent
46%
Expert
25%
LEVEL OF SKILL REQUIRED BY DISCIPLINE
Entry
29%
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Expert
Competent
Entry
Main Conclusions
 Existing and emerging skills shortages in key sectors such as ICT, if unaddressed, will slow
economic growth and the reduction in unemployment associated with economic
recovery.
 The jobs market in the technology / knowledge-intensive sectors, will continue to create
a strong demand for degree-holders. However the ‘human capital’ requirements of the
tech sector(s) - are significantly broader requiring people with a range of technical as
well as general skills that can be facilitated within FE provision.
 The current restructuring of FE provision in Ireland, provides a unique opportunity to
strengthen vocational education and training, and to promote its attributes to learners
and employers.
 The courses and qualifications taken by young people and job seekers across the
continuum of tertiary education that is FE + HE provision need to better match the
requirements of employers. This is a challenge and opportunity for SOLAS and ETBs.
 Consensus that dual-education interventions should be viewed as integral, qualitative
components within FE/HE provision – to reinforce application and employability skills in
real-time in the work place.
Quotes from Keynote Speakers at the
FIT Skills Audit Launch
“The 2014 FIT audit underscores IBM’s
ongoing efforts to support Irish government
and academia to identify job market-critical
skills and to help them adapt their courses
and training programmes to better prepare
people for the workplace. I’m delighted that
IBM is one of several companies hosting
participants in the pilot of the new ICT
Associate Professional programme.”
Peter O’Neill
Country General Manager
IBM Ireland
“I welcome FIT’s observations in the report that
‘Ireland’s skills advisory infrastructure is a work
in progress’. The methodology of its Audit is a
fine case study of the ‘hard listening’ that is
needed between employers and education and
training providers if courses and programmes
are to supply the skills that employers need and
the jobs that learners want.”
Dr John Sweeney
National Economic and Social Council (NESC)
“Presented as a ‘First Response’ in the ICT Skills Audit 2014, the Board of FIT
has developed and is introducing the ICT Associate Professional programme.
SAP is delighted to be a ‘champion’ - an inaugural sponsor of candidates on
this ground-breaking initiative.”
Liam Ryan
Managing Director
SAP SCC (Ireland) Ltd.
FIT Board Member
“Armed with the information in the Audit, we can now target the
type of programmes to deliver, securing Ireland’s position as one of
the best locations for talent.”
Paul Sweetman
Director ICT Ireland and the ISA (Ibec)
FIT Board Member
“Our audit highlights that while there is strong demand
in the IT industry for people with university degrees and
doctorates, there are more vacancies for people with IT
skills at Level 5/6 on the national qualifications
framework than at the higher levels.”
Peter Davitt
CEO
FIT
Key Recommendations:
1.
Excellence: enhance the quality of FE provision at L5 / L6 in accordance with the
revised CAS System and by incorporating proven industry certification / international
qualifications and focus on where employment prospects are best assured;
2.
Collaboration: research into employers’ skills needs should encompass what both
FE + HE are capable of supplying as a continuum - thereby addressing the dichotomy
between the two sources of tertiary provision;
3.
Information: engagement between tertiary education providers (FE + HE) and
employers needs to be more systematic and granular;
5.
Validation: opportunities for work-based learning and work experience should
become much more prevalent in tertiary education;
6.
Focus: all work orientated FE and HE programmes should be Employment Proofed;
7.
Direction: Young people aged 15+ should have access to appropriate skills
inventories and aptitude assessments, full information on the range of educational
pathways and professional guidance to deliberate the best learning route to realise
their aspirations.
A First Response:
ICT Associate Professional
Incorporation as ICT-AP
Qualifications
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• Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 6
• Professional Competence Award AP2
• Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 5
• Professional Competence Award AP1
Work & College Based Learning
CDR & OTJ – 1d / 4d
(Qtr. 3 + 4)
CDR & OTJ – 2d / 3d
(Qtr. 1 + 2)
CDR & OTJ – 2d / 3d
(Qtr. 3 + 4)
College F/T
(Qtr. 1 + 2)
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FIT ICT Associate Professional Model
 Training Duration: 2 Years combined work and  Training Budget: €2.6M for 2 year pilot
college based learninig
 Dual Education System: Expansive Model
(Fuller and Unwin, ESRC 2008)
 Assessment:
College based - assignments / exams
Work based – portfolio of evidence
 Pilot Co-ordination: FIT
CDR = College Day Release OTJ – On The Job Training
 Gov. Training Allowance: As per ETB rates
Payable for college based period
 Employer Allowance:
Payable for work based periods
Year1 €260 – €290 per week
Year2 €340 – €385 per week
Year 2
Year 1
Summary of Programme Content
ICT ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME
Systems & Networks Stream
Software Development Stream
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Network Operating Systems
Networking Technologies
Internet Server Management
IT Virtualisation
Implementing an ICT System Security Policy
Networking Principles
Testing ICT Systems
Design and Plan for an Internal Network Cabling
Infrastructure
Network Management and Security
ICT Systems and Network Management
Health & Safety in the Engineering Workplace
Systems Analysis and Design
Object Oriented Programming
Event Driven Programming Solutions
Procedural Programming
Software Applications Testing
Principles of ICT Systems & Security
Creative Problem Solving
Develop Software Using SQL
Install, Configure & Upgrade Software
Web Development & Website Software
Basics of Programming
Software Design Fundamentals
Common to both streams:
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Project Management
Effective Communication in Business
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Systems Development
Personal and Professional Development
Professional Recognition Award:
Portfolio of evidence (e.g. logbook, work-related project report) of professional development and applied learning
in the workplace mapped to award standards.
Internationally recognised industry certification selected to match the workplace technology environment e.g.
Apple, Cisco, CIW, CompTIA, HP, IBM, Linux, Microsoft, Oracle, SAP, VMware.