Enterprise Ireland has launched a new video as part of a campaign to highlight the “thousands” of open job vacancies among indigenous software companies.
The State agency, which supports export-focused high-growth firms, said more than 600 Irish-owned technology companies across the country currently have “thousands” of open positions, and collectively the sector grew by close to 10pc last year.
Dubbed ‘IT’s Happening Here’, the video highlights the vibrant indigenous sector, the attractiveness of working in small teams and the creativity that allows, as well as the availability and variety of work on offer.
Companies currently hiring include a mix of software, digital media and IT service providers, among them Version 1, Realex, Fineos, Intune Networks, Daon, Fexco and Vordel.
Primarily the video is aimed at people between 15-30 who may soon be accepting college courses in technology disciplines, or who may soon be finishing those courses. “We want people to understand that there is a thriving indigenous industry here and that IT is a good career move,” said Anne Lanigan, a senior development adviser with Enterprise Ireland.
Many computer science courses in Irish universities are producing much fewer graduates than a decade ago, partly because of a mistaken belief following the dot-com crash that the technology sector was volatile and, as a result, an unreliable career move. The video is also intended to help career guidance counsellors in schools to raise awareness of Irish software companies among students.
IT’s Happening Here goes social
The video is available on YouTube and viewers are encouraged to spread the link on Twitter using the hashtag #ITsHappeningHere. There’s also a website, www.itshappeninghere.ie, which is intended to showcase all of the indigenous companies that are actively recruiting. Others that have added their names to the list include Crème Software, In1 Solutions and Essential Skills.
An unspoken aim of the initiative is also to present the sector as a viable alternative to the large tech multinationals located in Ireland, such as Google and Facebook, which some indigenous business owners believe unfairly distort the recruitment market.
“Working in a small, Irish-owned company, you have the chance to see the whole process, and smaller companies will typically be a lot more creative. The opportunities you get there are much more exciting,” said Lanigan.
Opportunities aren’t limited to people with IT and software qualifications, she added. “Some of these companies are looking for marketing and sales people, as well. The sector is not just about technical roles.”
