An expanding technology sector in Ireland sees a growing demand for computer and engineering graduates.
Ciara Duffy is one recent graduate who has found work in the computer industry. An equipment engineering technician at Intel in Leixlip, County Kildare she works in an environment which is a thousand times cleaner than a hospital operating theatre. The clean environment prevents contamination of the Pentium computer chips that are manufactured at the site. Ciara Duffy tests the product before it leaves the factory.
The air in the clean room has to be changed every six seconds.
After graduating from Dundalk Regional Technical College (RTC) with a National Certificate in Computing and Ciara Duffy got a job at Intel. She was initially sent to Albuquerque in New Mexico for training and returned to Ireland to complete a National Diploma in Electronics at Tallaght RTC.
Computer companies need electronic and engineering graduates at certificate, diploma or degree level. Intel says that it will be hiring around 900 more staff this year. Other companies like Hewlett Packard and Gateway 2000 have also been recruiting at the FÁS Opportunities Fair at the RDS in Dublin.
Deirdre Featherstone from Hewlett Packard says that they are hiring more staff and hope to have around 2,500 employees in Ireland by the year 2000. Hewlett Packard are hiring at operative level applicants should have Group Certificate with work experience, Leaving Certificate or a FÁS course.
We really are in a recruiting drive at the moment.
Gateway 2000 are looking to hire sales staff or technical support staff with languages.
As demand for computer and engineering graduates increases so too does the need to encourage more young people to enter these fields if demand for staff is to be met.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 February 1997. The reporter is Carole Coleman.
