ICT skills shortage hampers Northern Ireland companies’ expansion – BBC News

Amidst the gloom of rising unemployment, here’s some good news: a survey by a recruitment firm says Belfast is one of the best cities in the UK to get a job in the information and computer technology (ICT) sector.

But there’s a reason for that: we have got a serious shortage of suitably qualified people.

Employers say the skills shortage is hampering the ability of companies to expand, at a time when job creation is desperately needed.

“It’s certainly getting close to crisis level,” says Bro McFerran, managing director of the American insurance company Allstate.

He employs nearly 2,000 people in Northern Ireland, working in ICT roles.

“It’s dis-enabling us to grow the business. We’d like to be a lot bigger than we are.

“Colleagues in the sector are telling me exactly the same thing.

“Tens of thousands of jobs could be created. The executive is keen on making the economy central to government here, and ICT sector could be the engine for growth.”…

via BBC News – ICT skills shortage hampers Northern Ireland companies’ expansion.