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 a Catalyst for Socio-Economic Inclusion

Key Partners: SOLAS, ETBs, the IDA, Third Level Institutions, Leargas, Leader Companies, LESNs, local development agencies, and community groups.

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’

16,500 participated in FIT Training for Employment Programmes

12,000+ placed in employment

35,000+ engaged in Digital Inclusion Initiatives

Creating Advantage through Addressing Skill Needs

1. Business Through Computers 29. IT & Multi-Media Programme 2. Warehousing and Data Entry 30. Contact Centre Support Programme3. IT Office Administration & Design 31. Internet Securities4. IT & Customer Care 32. IT Technology Sales & Customer Care 5. Microsoft Certified Professional 33. Software Test Analyst 6. Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator 34. Programming 1 - Junior Programmer (.NET)7. PC Support & Maintenance 35. Programming 2 - Senior Programmer (Java)8. IT Retail Sales & Customer Care 36. Programming 3 - C ++ Specialisation9. IT & Communication Skills 37. Customer Service Programme

10. IT & Reception Skills 38. Mobile Technologies - Developing Apps (Android, Apple)11. Programming 39. Train the IT Trainer12. Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician 40. Big Data Applications13. Foundation in Data-Base Management Systems 41. ICT Information & Internet Securities14. Advanced Computers and Business Applications 42. Web Technologies15. IT Supervisory Management 43. Programming 4 – (C# Specialisation)16. Cloud Applications & Development 44. Culinary Skills17. Network Specialist 45. Off-shore Wind Turbine Technician18. Games Development 46. Web Development Technician (HTML / Java)19. IT Business Systems 47. Creative Media Technologies (AR / 3D)20. Audio Visual Production for Broadcast 48. Digital Marketing21. Software Quality Assurance Tester 49. Cisco Certified Professionals22. Software Localisation Engineer 50. Web and Relational Data-bases23. Project Management 51. Medical Device Maintenance24. Virtualisation (VMWare) 52. Medical Inventory Management25. CLOUD Technologies 53. Medical Sales & Distribution26. Big Data Applications 54. Games Development27. CLOUD Infrastructure 55. Mobile Technologies II (Windows 7)28. Customer Relationship Management 56. SharePoint Support Engineer

FIT Training for Employment Programmes

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

• 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

Software DevelopmentIncorporating 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

• QA/Tester• Developer/Programmer• Business/Systems Analyst• Project Manager

Other areas in IT1. 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.

3. Business Intelligence / Datawarehousing / Cloud Computing / Big DataIncreasing demand as data becomes an income

generator In-demand technologies include SQL Server, Azure, EMC, VMWare, SAP et.

4. Internet of Things (IoT) – Next Revolution Wearable Technologies e.g. Google-glasses, Smart-Watches 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

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’NeillCountry General ManagerIBM Ireland

“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’NeillCountry General ManagerIBM Ireland

“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 SweetmanDirector ICT Ireland and the ISA (Ibec)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 SweetmanDirector 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 DavittCEOFIT

“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 DavittCEOFIT

“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 RyanManaging DirectorSAP SCC (Ireland) Ltd.FIT Board Member

“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 RyanManaging DirectorSAP SCC (Ireland) Ltd.FIT Board Member

“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 SweeneyNational Economic and Social Council (NESC)

“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 SweeneyNational Economic and Social Council (NESC)

Key Recommendations:

A First Response:

ICT Associate Professional

Work & College Based Learning

College F/T (Qtr. 1 + 2)

CDR & OTJ – 2d / 3d (Qtr. 3 + 4)

Incorporation as ICT-AP

CDR & OTJ – 1d / 4d (Qtr. 3 + 4)

Qualifications

• Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 5• Professional Competence Award AP1

• Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 6• Professional Competence Award AP2

Year 1

Year 2CDR & OTJ – 2d / 3d (Qtr. 1 + 2)

FIT ICT Associate Professional Model

Training Duration: 2 Years combined work and college based learninig

Dual Education System: Expansive Model (Fuller and Unwin, ESRC 2008)

Assessment: College based - assignments / examsWork based – portfolio of evidence

Pilot Co-ordination: FIT

Training Budget: €2.6M for 2 year pilot

Gov. Training Allowance: As per ETB ratesPayable for college based period

Employer Allowance: Payable for work based periods

Year1 €260 – €290 per weekYear2 €340 – €385 per week

PATHWAY

to

TL

CDR = College Day Release OTJ – On The Job Training

Summary of Programme Content

ICT ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMME

Systems & Networks Stream Software Development Stream• 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:• Project Management• Effective Communication in Business

• 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.