The software sector will require some 4,400 computer science professionals and 1,600 computer science technicians each year (2001-2005). This is based on strong growth projections for indigenous industry and demand for software across the economy. The emergence of digital media, internet data centres, e-business and the penetration of IT into business in the wider economy are responsible for forecasting substantially higher demand than in previous expert group reports.

In the hardware sector, total demand for engineers has remained more or less constant since 1998, but the nature of the demand has altered significantly. Demand for engineering professions is expected to rise from 13 per cent of the overall labour force requirements to 33 per cent (2001-2005), while demand for technicians is expected to drop from 25.5 per cent to 14 per cent over these periods.

Source: McIver and Eirlink forecasts