Demand for high level ICT skills is set to grow at a rate of 5 per cent a year up to 2018, creating about 44,500 new jobs over the next six years, a new report from Forfás says. However, it warns that policy makers will need to implement the right strategies to ensure that the skills are available to meet the demand.

“Ensuring an adequate supply of creative and innovative ICT talent from both the domestic and international talent pool is key to that effort,” the report says.

The report, Addressing Future Demand for High-Level ICT Skills, makes a number of recommendations to ensure that Ireland maintains a strong competitive advantage when it comes to attracting mobile ICT investment and encouraging entrepreneurs to set up, grow and locate their ICT businesses in Ireland.y. These include mainstream education and training, conversion and reskilling programmes, continuing professional development and attracting experienced international talent, including expatriate talent. The report highlights the key demand for high-level ICT professionals and notes that the level and quality of domestic ICT graduates is a critical component in the supply of skills and over time adding to the stock of experienced professionals.

The report also recommends the establishment of a single website with public and corporate involvement to attract international ICT talent - building on the best of existing websites and balancing the needs of both indigenous and FDI companies, and drawing upon the example of the “Make it in Germany” and “Contact Singapore” portals.

Martin Shanahan, chief executive of Forfás, said that the challenge to meet Ireland's demand for people with ICT skills is set against the background of a strong global demand for ICT talent with other countries also actively competing for these skills.

“Having the right policies in place to develop and attract ICT skills to Ireland is of the utmost importance for both foreign direct investment companies and indigenous companies. The successful implementation of measures to boost the supply of ICT professionals in Ireland depends upon the active collaboration of Government, education and training providers and businesses.”