According to new research carried out among microelectronics firms in Ireland, some 1,300 new jobs will be generated in the sector over the next three years.
The research was released as part of the promotion of microelectronics week, an initiative of Midas Ireland, the industry led organisation promoting the microelectronics industry.
According to Midas, the microelectronics industry in Ireland currently employs over 8,000 people in over 55 companies. The research carried out by Midas reports that 86% of companies surveyed confirmed that they have made operational and employment investment at their Irish operations over the last 24 months.
The number of students taking engineering and science courses in third level has increased this year, Midas Ireland said, and it will continue to work with education and Government to improve this number year on year.
"Information and communications technology is a key target sector in the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs and a major growth sector over recent years, with over 5,000 additional people employed in the past 18 months," said Richard Bruton, TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. "There are many areas of particularly high growth within this sector, such as microelectronics, cloud computing and digital gaming and we can see today the major potential for employment growth that exists within the microelectronics area. We in Government are determined to continue providing the necessary supports for the growth of this sector."
"Ireland continues to attract new investment from across the microelectronics sector," said Barry O’Leary, CEO of IDA Ireland. "The availability of world-class engineering talent, combined with the "cluster-effect" of existing semiconductor companies in Ireland, all contribute to winning new investments. This year alone, IDA Ireland has announced investment from Hittite Microwave, Microsemi, Xilinx, ZMDI, and M/A COM."
"The sector has developed a world-class microelectronics industry in Ireland over the last four decades which today employs over 8,000 people and contributes €6 billion annually in exports to the Irish economy," said John Blake, chairman of Midas Ireland.
"However in order to fully realise this growth opportunity it is crucial that we increase the supply of skilled engineers and graduates available to the industry. Midas is working hard with its partners including the Irish third level sector to ensure the necessary supports are in place and that one of its highest priorities is producing a plentiful supply of excellent electronic engineering graduates to fill the engineering positions as they come available."
"We are also sending out the message to engineering students, second level students and their parents that this industry is hiring and open for business. Our industry provides exciting, challenging and rewarding careers creating products and technologies that have significant positive impact on how we live and on our environment. Engineering generally is a very valuable education, with a wide variety of career options open to graduates. "
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