Skills shortage worries software industry

Trade

11 September 2006

Third level educational institutions urgently need to place more emphasis on software quality and testing as a distinct discipline with very attractive career opportunities. So says Declan Kavanagh, MD of software quality assurance provider Insight Test.

Kavanagh told Irish Computer that, unless urgent steps were taken in this direction, “Ireland will begin to slip down the value added chain in the global information market.”

He said that companies such as his own, which had shown rapid growth in the past two years, could well be held back in the future due to lack of the skills needed for software quality assurance.

“We’re exploring both the Irish and the international marketplaces for more qualified professionals as more business opportunities come on to our radar screen,” he said. “As software pervades every aspect of modern living, from online banking to devices such as mobile phones and iPods, the consumer is far less tolerant of poor software quality. Our ability to deliver software to the highest quality standards will be a key differentiator for Irish industry compared to cheaper offshore locations.”

Kavanagh said the growth in his own company was typical of the type of rewarding careers now available in the software quality and testing discipline. “In a very short time we’ve grown to have over 80 career professionals with internationally recognised certification in software quality and testing. With the continued growth in the Irish economy and our company’s recent entry into the UK market, we anticipate doubling this number within a very short period. This sector can provide a lifelong rewarding career for our bright young graduates.”

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