WIT News

Technology sector still strong and a worthy choice for CAO applicants according to WIT department head Posted: Thu, January 15, 2009

Salaries and opportunities in the ICT (information and communications technology) sector remain healthy despite the global economic slowdown. That’s according to Dr Mícheál Ó hÉigeartaigh, Head of the Department of Computing, Mathematics & Physics, Waterford Institute of Technology.

Recent survey results from salesjobs.ie, coupled with several positive job announcements for the sector, bode well for the industry in the future and should encourage students to consider science and ICT-focused programmes as the February 1 CAO deadline looms, according to Dr Ó hÉigeartaigh.

“The good work that we have done as a country in building up our infrastructure and high technology industrial base will stand us in good stead as we go forward. The challenge of finding better ways of organising our society, of using technology to overcome disadvantage and of deploying computing for the benefit of all remain as central themes.

“Despite the general economic downturn, major expansions in high technology employment have taken place across the country in recent months and many new projects are in the pipeline. That is not to say that we are taking anything for granted.

“WIT is initiating a major review of all its activities in the coming year and we will bring forward a suite of new academic programmes to meet our emerging economic and social needs. We have re-launched the Higher Diploma in Applied Computing, targeting Irish graduates who wish to boost their existing knowledge with advanced skills in computing. This will greatly increase their employability.

“In 2008, for the first time, four students from the Institute graduated with doctorates in computing and many new companies were created through our incubation and innovation facilities.

“We are faced with significant economic challenges in the medium term. However, we will convert the high technology opportunities that exist in the region into well paid sustainable jobs. Whatever effort it takes, being second best is simply not an option,” he added.

According to the salesjobs.ie research, in the information technology/telecoms sector, sales directors can expect to earn between €76,000 and €112,000; sales managers between €58,000 and €80,000; account managers/executives between €40,000 and €52,000; technical sales between €48,000 and €59,000; and software sales between €41,000 and €51,000.