Category Archives: Graduates
Project Maths STEMs the Learning Gap
Last weeks Junior Certificate results brings with them the results of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment’s (NCCA) pilot maths scheme, which saw an innovative, practical approach to the teaching maths being rolled out to 24 schools last year. The first year results of Project Maths have been encouraging. With 52% choosing to take the Project Maths higher level paper as compared to just 45% who took the normal higher level paper, as well as more pupils achieving an honour grade result, Project Maths has proven to be a welcome development that starts to redress Ireland’s under-performance in maths for the past few years. According to Barry Rudden, associate director with Sigmar Recruitment, Ireland’s economy will continue to be driven by Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) based jobs so it’s essential we continue to be innovative on this front.
Says Rudden: “While our workforce is one of the most educated in the world, the under-performance in the both the teaching and learning of maths is more than a cause for concern – it’s a potential national employment crisis. As maths forms the foundation for many other disciplines, such as engineering, technology and finance, our weakness in this area could very well jeopardise our reputation as a knowledge-based economy and our future economical competitiveness.
“Of course, it was imperative for the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) to examine the maths problem and we greatly welcomed any initiative, practical or otherwise, that could help stem the mathematical learning gap. I believe Project Maths has been successful and would encourage any further initiatives to redress the under-performance in maths in Irish schools.”
The recent Irish Computer Society / Lero initiative which trained 50 teachers to give software development lessons to secondary school students was another excellent initiative aimed at improving mathematical, creative and team skills, elements the program shares with Project Maths.
Standards in these areas are not issues unique to Ireland; in the US the ITEST program (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers) looks at current concerns and projections about the growing demand for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals. What’s interesting here is that they are now targeting children from the beginning of their education life in kindergarten, right the way through to high school age with projects focusing on any content area related to the STEM workforce.
Another idea that grabbed Sigmar’s attention included the “Twinning Schools-Scientific Institutions” Program of the Portuguese government. It allows students and teachers of both primary and secondary schools the possibility of directly observing research and development in scientific institutions. It has led to follow-up programs aimed at participation at the annual science competition as well as offering training periods to teenagers during school holidays.
Ireland needs to maintain our attractiveness as a place to do business with a highly educated workforce. Innovation is key to this and Project Maths should be just the start.
Jobs of the Future – Engineering, Accountancy, Finance
- Barry Rudden, Sigmar Recruitment
Future Jobs for Irish Youths
With the impending Leaving Cert results out tomorrow (August 17th), we felt it necessary to take a look at where the future jobs will be for Irish youths. With a despairing economy and increasing emigration, it can be hard to see beyond the gloom as to where you’re future career will be in Ireland but there are opportunities available.
The following are a few sectors that hold the best chances for economic and job growth in the near future.
ICT Sector
If there’s one thing that is evolving at break-neck speed, it is technology. And with new developments and improvements every day, it can safely be said that the field of technology, whether machinery or software, is only going to grow by leaps and bounds.
The ICT sector has been of tremendous importance to our economy, representing one third of Ireland’s total exports and employing over 74,000 people. With some of the biggest ICT companies in the world based here, Ireland has proved itself to be one of the world’s best locations for ICT.
However to maintain this reputation Ireland needs to continuously produce highly skilled IT professionals. However there are already significant skills shortages in a variety of areas such as IT project management and of ICT professionals with foreign language skills.
ICT will continue to be one of the most important sectors of our economy for the future, as technology continuously advances, making it as close to a safe bet as you can get these days.
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry
Already one of Ireland’s best performing industries, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry looks set to grow further. With a growing and ageing population worldwide, the number and degree of health related issues is continuously on the rise. People will always need medical care ensuring a continued demand for research, development and production of new drugs. Over 25,000 people work in this industry. Many are scientists, mainly chemists, biologists and pharmacists, others are engineers or manufacturing operatives, or may have qualifications in IT, finance, law, marketing or other specialist fields.
Biotechnology is the major growth segment of the pharmaceutical industry. The sector now accounts for over 30% of all new drugs in development. Again this is another area of Irish industry that is suffering from skills shortages.
Ireland is already one of the leading locations for the pharmaceutical industry in Europe. As a result of the growth in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and medical device industries in Ireland, it is very likely that a student about to graduate with a third level qualification in science will find interesting employment in one of the following areas; research, manufacturing, regulation or sales and marketing.
Financial Sector
This may come as a surprise to some of you when you think of the state of the Irish banking sector but the banks are only part of the story when it comes to the country’s financial services sector. As we mentioned in our blog earlier in the year there will be many opportunities over the coming years for those wishing to pursue a career in financial services.
One sector in particular that is set to thrive is the funds industry. According to figures from the Irish funds industry the proportion of the world’s hedge funds domiciled in Ireland doubled to 7.4% by the end of the third quarter of 2010 from the end of 2009, firmly establishing Ireland as the European domicile of choice. Funds companies are drawn to Ireland because of the existence of a highly competitive marketplace for providing services and the fact that Ireland is the first international jurisdiction to provide regulation within the industry.
There is still demand for qualified and part qualified accountants when all eyes are on the books at the moment. Qualified and newly qualified accountants are required within the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and energy industries, as are candidates with insolvency and forensics experience.
Green Sector
Over the past decade, heightened public awareness of environmental issues, together with EU legislation have lead to a growth in the market for environmental goods and services.
Jobs in green areas such as renewable energy, environmental and energy-efficient technologies are forecast to continue to increase. The creation of more and more companies in the green sector, such as wind farms and waste-water specialists has led to a strong demand for qualifications in environmental biology, renewable and electrical energy systems, environmental management and specialist fields within science and engineering. There are also needs for support functions such as finance, human resources and marketing.
Recent reports highlight the importance the environmental sector will play in the future of Ireland’s economy. The Group on Green Enterprise Opportunities says that the emerging green economic sector has the potential to create 80,000 jobs. And a joint report published by Fofás and InterTrade Ireland showed that the environmental sector has the potential to become a valuable component of long-term economic development in Ireland.
- Julia Purcell, Sigmar Recruitment
Big Company Bias- Are you putting 100% of your efforts into less than 10% of the market?
Unfortunately, most graduates are missing out on the largest business sector in Ireland! Did you know that over 90% of firms in Ireland are Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)? They account for more than half of private sector employment. When recession hits, it is the SMEs that are the driving force behind change. So why is it exactly that Irish graduates mostly look to the 10% of large corporations to make a start on their career? This article aims to re-educate those with big company bias by dispelling some of the stereotypes associated with SME employment and showing the benefits that a SME experience can have on your career.
“Small companies don’t employ as many people as large ones”
You would be forgiven for thinking this myth was true. But, during a recession, SMEs are at the forefront of employment creation. They just tend not attract as much publicity and also have somewhat lower marketing budgets than larger companies, so their employment profile is not top of mind.
“Small businesses have fewer opportunities for advancement”
Graduates who perform well in SMEs are likely to progress more quickly as they and their efforts are more visible to senior managers. Also, there is normally a rigid structure of career progression in large companies. Graduates can often feel like they are just numbers in a niche department in large companies but in a SME you are likely to play a vital role.
“Small companies are just interested in an employee’s ability to produce results”
SMEs do not subscribe to the “square peg in square hole” mentality that is prevalent in big business. While larger companies rely heavily on exam results, essay questions and psychometric testing entrepreneurial, the entrepreneurial SMEs tend to think laterally when filling a position. A candidate’s enthusiasm and natural skills can be just as impressive as related work experience and grades.
“Large companies offer a better quality of experience”
You are far more likely to get niche training in large companies. The opposite is normally true for SMEs where graduates are exposed to a wide range of areas within the business. Graduates in SME roles have more varied experience, an opportunity to voice their opinions and to shape company practices and procedures. More all rounded experience is one of the best benefits of starting your career in an SME.
“Nothing compares to a large corporation’s training programme”
True, some large companies’ graduate training schemes are infamous, but think about what is best for you personally. Some prefer to get more attention and a comprehensive training at the beginning of their career. Also, having a broad skills range can make you more indispensable in a turbulent market.
To conclude, the reality is large corporations do not suit everyone. Many people prefer a less rigid, more accessible SME corporate culture. An SME can offer a graduate a depth of experience, in a more nurturing environment, with more responsibility.
Lisa Archer is a European Business Development Executive with Sigmar Recruitment, on the G4IG (Graduates for International Growth) Enterprise Ireland programme.
National Graduate Initiative – To Create 1500 Graduate Placements
Pictured left to right at Graduate Employment Day (National Employment Week): Adrian McGennis (CEO, Sigmar), Billy O’Connell (Senior Executive, Accenture), Sean Gannon (Director Careers Adviser, TCD), Professor Terri Scott (President IT Sligo), Susanne Jeffrey (HR Director, Accenture), Frank Farrelly (Director, Sigmar)
Sigmar is delighted to announce the National Graduate Initiative, supported by Accenture Ireland, which is a free advice initiative to Irish businesses, to help them develop world class graduate programmes complimented by a free graduate recruitment service, which is expected to create up to 1500 graduate placements in 2011.
As part of National Employment Week 2011 (21-25 February), Accenture has agreed to provide free advice to businesses in Ireland on setting up graduate programmes.
Susanne Jeffery, HR Director Accenture comments; “Our economy is going through a period of major transformation and re-adjustment right now which is undoubtedly creating challenges for our graduates. For those graduates who are fortunate enough to secure employment, they are entering the national workforce at a time of unprecedented change and these new entrants will have the opportunity to shape the direction of their companies and of the wider national economy.
“At Accenture, we have always been focussed on the importance of maintaining a steady pipeline of talent and that’s why our graduate intake continues each year. Last year we hired more than 60 graduates from all the colleges across the island of Ireland and we expect a similar number in the coming year. We feel it is an exciting time for graduates to be joining our company as we shape our business strategy to reflect the economic times we live in and assist our clients both locally and globally to do the same.
“More and more companies are realising the benefits of employing graduates and up-skilling graduates. A priority for government, business and educational institutions in Ireland should be to retain graduate talent locally and to ensure our brightest and best graduates are not forced to move overseas to secure employment. Ireland’s economic recovery will not take place without the harnessing of graduate skills, innovative ideas and exciting energy our graduates possess”.
Accenture’s offer is being coupled free recruitment services from Sigmar to source, screen and select graduates for the Accenture supported programmes.
Frank Farrelly, Director Sigmar comments:” This is a unique offer in the Irish Employment Marketplace. It facilitates all companies, regardless of size, in developing a graduate program. It provides the framework, the methodology and the fulfillment. We think it is going to have real impact in creating New opportunities for graduates.”
What are we doing to retain our talent?
The number of unemployed people under the age of 25 stands at 91,646 according to the CSO as of June 2010. It is estimated that 70,000 people emigrated as of April 2010 and that 60,000 will leave this year. With these figures at an extremely high rate, what are our government doing to retain our talent?
The government has introduced a scheme called “Skills Development and Internship Programme”. This programme will cost €38m and will provide 5,000 job seekers with the opportunity of a 12 month placement whilst keeping their Social Welfare payments. In conjunction with their Social Welfare, each candidate will receive a further €100 per week up skilling bonus. The scheme will be run through FAS and will commence in March 2011. In order to qualify for the programme each participant must be unemployed for at least three months.
Another programme that will be unveiled is the “Work Placement Programme” which will provide up to 9 months work placement for to 2,000 unemployed. The scheme is broken into two streams, 1,000 positions for graduates and 1,000 for unemployed. Unemployed graduates can apply for either stream.
My advice to graduates and young unemployed people is to turn a cold job application into a business proposal. Approach companies of your choice highlighting the “Skills and development internship programme” as a cost effective way of taking on a resource. You should propose specific value that you can add to the business with tangible outcomes. Through offering a proposal like this, you will significantly enhance your chances of gaining a position in their company as opposed to other cold applications. Turn each application into your unique business opportunity.
Stephen Merrigan, Technical Recruitment Consultant at Sigmar Recruitment.
