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ICTSKILLSAction Plan
2014 - 2018
Government, Education and Industry working together tomake Ireland a global leader in ICT talent
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This Action Plan is a collaborative effort by Government, the education system andindustry to meet the goal of making Ireland the most attractive location in the world
for ICT Skills availability.
Government agencies and State-supported bodies involved in thedevelopment and implementation of the Action Plan include:
HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITYHEA
The education system plays a critical role in delivering skilled graduates andpromoting interest in ICT
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ForewordThere are few drivers which will be more important to global job creationin the coming years than the development of ICT skills. Ireland already hashuge strengths in this area: a thriving ICT enterprise base, both indigenousand multinational, the quality and responsiveness of our education systemand the talent and flexibility of our workforce; all poised to develop theopportunities opened up by new technologies. But we also recognise thatIreland is part of a global race for talent and that we are increasinglycompeting for inward investment and export opportunities on the basis ofthe quality of our workforce.
This Action Plan builds on our strengths and is intended to meet theGovernments ambition, set out in the Action Plan for Jobs that Ireland willbecome the most attractive location in the world for ICT Skills availability. In developing this new Plan we have worked extensively with industry,including a Ministerial consultation with industry representatives and theeducation sector, and have heard first-hand the opportunities andchallenges in the sector. This Plan is also informed by the detailed work ofthe Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.
Before the publication of the first Action Plan in 2012, domestic supplyfrom higher education programmes only met 45% of demand. That figureis now estimated at over 60%, and we are setting out an ambitious targetof meeting three quarters of demand through domestic supply by 2018.This will be met through a range of actions in the education systemincluding enhancing core provision and retention, continuing to provideconversion programmes and focusing the skills of our young people,especially young female students, on ICT careers.
Given the global nature of this industry, inward migration will always play akey role in meeting the demand for high-level ICT skills. In this Plan, we setout actions designed to make Ireland a destination of choice for ICTprofessionals, both expatriates and international talent, through a range ofmeasures to promote Ireland internationally as a destination for highlyskilled ICT professionals and a targeted and user-friendly employmentpermits system.
These collaborative actions will complement the key role which theindustry itself has as a skills producer, through improved talentmanagement systems to attract, upskill and retain the best ICT talent andthe development of career pathways for new graduate entrants. Taking all these actions together, and by working in a collaborative wayacross Government, State agencies, the education sector and industry, wewill ensure that the ICT sector in Ireland continues to thrive with benefitsfor everyone in our society.
Ruairi Quinn T.D. Richard Bruton T.D.Minister for Education Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Skills and Innovation
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1. ICT: A strategic sector for Ireland
The ICT sector is of vital strategic importance toIreland, both in terms of the numbers of high skilledprofessionals employed and its significant contributionto export performance, accounting for 70 billion perannum. ICT is also widely used across other sectors ofthe economy. Around 60% of ICT professionals areemployed in the broad ICT sector, while 40% areemployed across other sectors of the economy.
Globally, the sector is in the midst of a disruptivegrowth and innovation phase. This includes theadoption of cloud computing, the penetration ofmobile devices and technologies and the Internet ofthings, the emergence of Big Data analytics, IT security,micro- and nanoelectronics and the adoption of socialtechnologies in both the personal and businessenvironment.
This disruptive change presents challenges in terms ofthe supply of ICT talent. However, the opportunitiesare enormous for those countries that respond best inmeeting these new skills needs.
2. Identifying the skills needs of the industry
The skills demand for ICT talent is a global one. By2015, it is estimated that there will be a shortage of upto 864,000 ICT professionals across the EU and theEuropean Economic Area (EEA).
Ireland is likely to face an average increase in demandfor high-level ICT skills of around 5% a year out to2018 with the employment of ICT professionalsanticipated to rise to just over 91,000.
Meeting the continuing strong domestic demand forICT professional skills will require an increase in thenumbers of high-quality computing andelectronic/electrical engineering graduates,supplemented by higher education conversion andupskilling programmes for jobseekers, furtherinvestment by business in employee training as well asthough the enhancement of the skills pool here inIreland by the attraction of appropriately skilledprofessionals from across Europe and beyond.
The development of the new ICT Skills Action Plan hasbeen informed by the EGFSN report Addressing FutureDemand for High Level ICT Skills which examines thepotential demand for highlevel ICT skills at NationalFramework of Qualifications (NFQ) Levels 8 and aboveover the period 2013 to 2018 and at progression levelsNFQ 6/7, arising both within the broad ICT sector andacross other sectors of the economy.
The report indicates a continuing strong demand forhigh-level ICT skills with 44,500 job openings forecastto arise over the period to 2018 from both expansionand replacement demand. It concludes that allpotential policy levers will need to be utilised to buildup the ICT skills supply pipeline including througheducation, conversion and reskilling programmes,continuing professional development and attractingexperienced international talent, including expatriatetalent.
ICT Skills Action Plan
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3. Responding to industry needs: the 2012Action Plan
The first ICT Action Plan was developed in 2012 as acollaborative industry-Government approach tobuilding the domestic supply of high level ICTgraduates. In line with the emerging skills gaps beingidentified, the Plans key targets included doublingoutput of level 8 mainstream graduates by 2018, andsteps to increase supply in the short term throughconversion and reskilling programmes.
Significant progress has been made in meeting targetsin the Plan.
Doubling of NFQ level 8 graduate output is nowexpected to be achieved by 2015 - 3 years ahead ofschedule.
There has been a 58% increase in the number ofstudents presenting for higher level maths over thepast 3 years.
2,000 graduates on ICT reskilling/conversioncourses at NFQ level 8/9+
Before the publication of the Plan, only 45% of theskills demand was met domestically from highereducation programmes. The situation has beentransformed, with the education system expected tomeet over 60% of industry demand in 2014.
4. Building on the momentum: scope of thenew Plan
The focus of the new Plan is to build the supply ofgraduates and skilled professionals with core ICT andelectronic/electrical engineering qualifications athonours degree level and above. It is at these levelsthat the majority of new job openings are expected tobe created and which are critical to the expansion anddevelopment of ICT business activity within both theICT sector itself and across other sectors of theeconomy.
The scope of the new Plan is being broadened toencompass measures to increase the supply of highlyskilled ICT professionals from abroad to complementthe increase in the domestic supply of high level ICTgraduates from the education system. This includesmeasures to streamline the operation of theemployment permit regime and measures to promoteIreland as a destination for skilled ICT professionals.
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ICT Skills Action Plan
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5. Developing the Plan: A collaborativeapproach between Government andIndustry
The Plan has been developed as a collaborationbetween the Department of Education and Skills andthe Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, aswell as a range of State agencies, including the HEA,IDA, EI, Forfs and SFI, together with the highereducation institutions and a range of industrystakeholders.
A series of consultations took place with stakeholdersin the preparation of the Plan in November andDecember 2013. In January 2014, the Minister forEducation and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, and the Minister forJobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton, co-chaired a consultation with industry representativesand representatives of the Higher Education sector, aswell as the relevant State Agencies.
6. Making Ireland a global leader for ICTtalent
Our ambition is to make Ireland as global leader forICT talent and skills. Our overarching target is to meet74% of forecast industry demand for high-level ICTskills from the education system by 2018, up from thecurrent level, estimated at over 60%.
In line with industry norms, it is envisaged thatremaining demand will be met by continuing to attracthighly skilled people from abroad. The continuedupskilling and development of existing employees inthe sector by industry will also make a vitalcontribution to achieving our goals.
We will meet our ambitious targets by focusing onthree strategic priorities. We will:
Increase output of high-level graduates Incentivise additional 1,250 ICT undergraduate
places in higher education institutions per year, with a target of 1,037 additional graduates per annum from the end of 2018.
Continue ICT upskilling and NFQ Level 8 conversion courses, in collaboration with industry in the design of programmes and the provision of structured work placements
Enhance ICT capacity and awareness in theeducation system. Support maths and ICT skills development
through promotion and attraction measures, where possible facilitated by industry inputs, allied to curriculum reforms. This will include industry in adopt-a-school programmes;
Increase in retention rates on higher educationICT programmes from 80% to 83% over the life time of the Plan;
Support measures to align programmes with enterprise needs.
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ICT Level 8 Graduates by Field of Study 2008 to 2018
Springboard/ICT Conversion Level 8 ICT Graduates(481) Computer Science
ICT action Plan 2014- 18 Incentivised Level 8
(482) Computer Use
(523) Electronics and automation
Ensure Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pooland promote Ireland as a centre for high-levelICT Skills
Increase efficiency in the employment permits process, to attract highly skilled individuals andintroduce new legislation and associated enhancements to the application process;
Facilitate the issuance of up to 2000 employment permits per year to experienced ICT professionals with skills in high demand. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the industry, these high-level ICT occupations will be reviewed on a six-monthly basis;
Promote Ireland internationally as a destination for Highly skilled ICT professionals including through the development of a singlewebsite portal to attract international talent;
Organise careers fairs abroad with the active participation of companies which have open vacancies.
These collaborative actions will serve to complementthe ongoing work by industry itself to upskill its owntalent base.
7. Making it happen: Implementationstructures
Overall implementation of the Plan will be driven by aHigh Level Steering Group under the auspices of thetwo Ministers. Three cross-sectoral delivery teams willdevelop and implement work programmes covering theactions in each of the strategic priority areas. A vitalfeature in the approach to implementation will be thecontinued central engagement of industry as a keypartner in the process. The delivery teams and HighLevel Steering Group will have appropriate regard to thework of other groups, including the recommendationsof the STEM Education Review Group. The High LevelSteering Group will review the effectiveness of theimplementation structures after 18 months.
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Implementation Structures
WORKPROGRAMMEActions: 1 7
Oversight and Advice
HIGH LEVELSTEERINGGROUP
DJEI, DES &INDUSTRY
ANNUALSTATEMENT
ANNUALMINISTERIALINDUSTRY
CONVENTION
DELIVERY TEAM 2
ICT AWARENESS ANDCAPACITY IN THE
EDUCATION SYSTEM
DES/SFI/INDUSTRY
WORKPROGRAMMEActions: 8-20
DELIVERY TEAM 3
ICT TALENT POOL &INTERNATIONALPROMOTION
DJEI/IDA/EI/INDUSTRY
WORKPROGRAMMEActions: 21 - 22
DELIVERY TEAM 1
OUTPUT OF HIGH-LEVELGRADUATES
HEA/SKILLNETS/INDUSTRY
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Table of Actions
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Actions/Tasks
1. Incentivise provision ofan additional 1,250 ICTundergraduate places peryear in higher educationinstitutions
Issue call for expressions ofinterest in providingadditional places in identifiedICT skills areas leading to fulllevel 8 award
Undertake an audit ofcapacity in ICT disciplineareas in higher educationinstitutions
2. Increase in retentionrates
Additional measures to besought from higher educationinstitutions to increaseretention of ICT students,drawing on research andpractice that demonstratessuccess of additionalinterventions in Mathematics,learning to learn andcommunications. Measureswill be made a requirement inorder to access targeted skillsfunding
National Forum forEnhancement of Teaching andLearning to conduct a projectwhich co-ordinatesevaluation, sharing andpromotion of good practiceon retention of ICT studentsat NFQ Levels 6-9.
LeadResponsibility
HEA/HEIs
HEA/HEIs
HEA/HEIs
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe
2018+
2014
3% increase in Level 8completion by Q42018
Level 6/7 5-7%increase by Q4 2018.
Industry inputs
Commitments to provideundergraduate workplacements forincentivised course places
Support promotion ofinitiative and raiseawareness ofemploymentopportunities.
Contribution in the formof industry guidance;review and contributionto course design;participation inmentoring; promotion ofICT careers and workplacement
Number of additionalplaces provided eachyear
Additional 1,037graduates each year
Potential capacityissues identified andconsidered
Steady increase inlevel 8 ICT retention:up from 80% currentlyto 83%, as per HEAICT numbersprojections
Targeted improvementin level 6/7 retentionfrom 63%-65% to70% by 2018
Enhanced studentengagement in termsof classroomattendance andparticipation andoverall programmeoutcomes.
Strategic Priority One:Increase output of high-level graduates
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3. Launch new rounds ofconversion/upskillingprogrammes in 2014
Issue a call for further ICTconversion/upskilling coursesin February 2014
EGFSN guidance on targetskills areas prepared inadvance with input fromenterprise agencies andindustry reps
Launch new round of ICTskills conversion/upskillingprogrammes
4. Delivery of Skillnets ICTconversion programmes
Delivery of:ICT Ireland Skillnet ConversionProgrammes in Software Engineering, JavaFundamentals and CloudComputing & Virtualisation.
ISA Software Skillnet CloudCareers & UX ConversionProgrammes
ITAG Skillnet Software TestingConversion Programme
Animation Skillnet GameProduction & AnimationProduction conversionprogrammes
DES/HEA
Skillnets/ICTIreland/ISA/ITAG/DBIC
Tender for the deliveryof the programme tobe issued February2014 with courses toroll out from June2014
Programmes deliveredfrom Q1 Q4 2014
Input to call via guidancematerial/briefings
Promotion of call byindustry associations
Industry/educationpartnerships with highereducation institutions insubmitting courseproposals and delivery,including work placements
Participation inassessment and selectionpanel(s)
Engagement withgraduates via workplacement and hiring
Promote awareness andengagement withinitiative by participantsand employers
Input to the developmentof ICT conversionprogrammes
Provision of suitable workplacements opportunities
Provision of trainingfacilities for conversionprogrammes
Promotion of ICTprogrammes
Number of ICT courseplaces filled
No of workplacements provided
Graduate output
Employmentoutcomes
240 unemployedparticipants on ICTconversionprogrammes
Progression outcomesof participants.
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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5. Deliver Skillnets ICTprogrammes to industry
Skillnet networks to deliver awide range of ICT technicaland managementprogrammes to increase thenumber of ICT skilledprofessionals e.g. Big dataanalytics, UX DesignPrinciples, Cloud Computing,Product Management.
Key programmes include;ISA Software SkillnetPostgraduate Diploma andMSc in Product Management
ICT Ireland SkillnetPostgraduate Diploma andMSc in Technology &Innovation
Introduce three new ICTtraining courses underSkillnets Future Skills NeedsProgramme (FSNP)
6. Implement the higher Education System Performance Framework2014-16
Implementation of systemobjective 1:
To meet Irelands humancapital needs across thespectrum of skills by engagedinstitutions through a diversemix of provision across thesystem and through both corefunding and specificallytargeted initiatives
Skillnets/ICTIreland/ISA/ITAG/DBIC
HEA
1700 employedparticipants completingrange of ICT technicaland managementprogrammes
Provision of places for200 unemployedparticipants on theseprogrammes
100 employedparticipantsundertaking level 9programmes designedby Skillnet networks
New programmeslaunched.
Level of achievementagainst high levelindicators in relation toICT/STEM skills.
Publication of AnnualSystem Performancereport
Report Q2 2014
Promotion andparticipation in ICTprogrammes
Investment in ICTprogrammes jointly fundedby Skillnet Networks andIndustry
Leadership of enterprisenetworks andidentification of trainingneeds.
Industry experts input tothe development of thenew level 9 programmesfor industry practitioners.
Participation in IBECEmployers Survey
Strategic Priority One:Increase output of high-quality graduates
2014
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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7. Work Placements
Support developmentof web portal tofacilitate workplacements forparticipants/graduateson targeted ICTinitiatives and toassist in job seekingand recruitment.
Feasibility workincludes review andcollaboration withemployment supportservices of theDepartment of SocialProtection
EI/HEIs/HEA/DSP/Industry
Number of employersengaged and using theportal
Number of placementopportunities featuredon portal
Number ofplacements facilitatedvia web portal
Number of CVs activeand number ofemployer contactsmade
Subject to feasibilitybeing confirmed, portaloperation for targetedICT initiatives(eg.Springboard/ICTskills conversionprogramme) Q1 2015
Input to the initial andongoing development ofthe web portal
Provision of suitablework placementsopportunities
Use of portal inrecruitment processes
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Strategic Priority Two:Enhance ICT capacity and awareness in the education system
8. Promote careeropportunities toprimary and secondlevel students
Highlight and promoteSTEM careeropportunities andcareer pathways opento students,particularly those inICT fields; encouragestudents to retain theirSTEM subjects at post-primary level andpursue STEM coursesat third level. Specificactions will include:
Carry out a nationalsurvey ofundergraduatestudents to identifywhy they did or didnot choose STEMcourses after school
Develop and manage adatabase of trainedSTEM volunteersincluding people witha variety of ICTbackgrounds, toengage with schoolsand teachersnationwide and givecareer talks (focusedon Junior Cycle & TYstudents)
SFI (SFI Discover:Smart Futuresprogramme)
Increased awarenessof STEM careeropportunities amongpost-primarystudents, parents,guidance counsellorsand teachers asevidenced by:
- Detailed analysis ofresults of nationalsurvey ofundergraduates
- Training of 450+STEM volunteers togive careers talks(50% industry 50%research)
- The development ofan online bookingsystem for schools
Q2 2014
Q1 2014 to Q4 2016
Q1 2014 to Q4 2016
To make sufficientnumbers of industryemployees available forcommunications trainingto enable them to carryout school/teacherengagement
To allow industryemployees time to carryout school visits
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Launch a mediacampaign with a highprofile STEMAmbassador tocommunicate careersmessagesencompassing ICT , tostudents, teachers,parents, guidancecounsellors etc.
Deliver careerpathways informationin an easily accessiblemanner online
Deliver a series ofcareer profileshighlighting femalerole models in STEM,including those withICT backgrounds, onSmart Futures.ie
Work with SFI-fundedResearch Centres todevelop workplacementopportunities fortransition yearstudent. As well assupporting establishedprogrammes such asthe STEPS Engineeringyour Future scheme,CareersPortal WorkXperience and CRANNCool Jobs programmes.
Support and promotecompetitions aimed atpost-primary studentsencouraging them todevelop STEM skillsusing innovatecommunicationsmethods
- To be able to offer acareers talk to each ofthe 723 post-primaryschools in the countryby 2016
- Delivery of mediacampaign with high-profile ambassador(clippings, videoviews, website traffic)
- Creation andaccessibility of STEMcareer pathwaysinformation mappedout and easilyaccessed online
- Creation andpublication of regularcareer posts onSmartFutures.iehighlighting femalerole models in ICTfields
- The development ofa coordinated TY workplacement initiativewithin SFI-fundedResearch Centres
- Includes thesponsorship of theApps4Gaps dataanalytics competitionand the Eircom JuniorSpider Awards etc.
Q2, Q3 2014
Ongoing
Q3, Q4 2014 - 2016
To support and endorseany media campaign byparticipating in photo-calls, providing quotes forpress releases
To provide appropriateinformation on ICT careerpathways and skills(Engineers Ireland STEPSprogramme)
To provide access tofemale employeesworking in ICT areas forinterviews and profiling
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Strategic Priority Two:Enhance ICT capacity and awareness in the education system
9. Develop a frameworkto facilitate theexpansion of adopt aschool typeprogrammes
Framework documentfor use by industry andschools to be drawn upwhich will facilitatethe adoption process
10. Enhance highereducation awareness-raising measures
HEA to provide support to institutions in delivering SummerComputing Camps toencourage second-levelstudents to consider ICT careers
Higher educationinstitutions to continueto support Coder Dojo in provision of space,administrative supportsand mentoring
Enhanced focus onattracting femaleparticipants,particularly in calls fortargeted provision
Industry and DES
HEIs/HEA
Schools receivesupport from industryacross range of areas
Support 14 annualsummer camps at 14higher educationinstitutions, offeringICT-related courses,30-50 participants percamp
All relevant highereducation instititutionslinked to or supportingCoder Dojo initiativesin their regions orclusters as appropriate
Marketing andpromotion toencourage increase infemale participation inSpringboard, ICT Skillsand targetedmainstream provision.Links with partnerssuch as SiliconRepublic.
Annually to 2018
All by 2018
Annually to 2018
Provide IT equipment
Provide tech support
Provide softwaredevelopment classes
Providesoftware/hardwaretroubleshooting classes
Provide guest speakers toclasses
Provide work placementopportunities fortransition year students
Industry sponsorship orin-kind supports;
ICS Tech Week
Industry assistance tohigher educationinstitutions in promotingand championingopportunities for womenin computing, e.g. viaMultinational TechnologyForum; ICT Ireland; IDA; EI;Engineers Ireland womenin Technology and otherindustry networks
To be agreed bydelivery team
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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11. Implement JuniorCycle Reformprogramme
Finalise and roll outcourses in DigitalMedia Literacy andProgramming &Coding
Embed key skill ofdigital technology intoall subjects and shortcourses as they arerevised
Ensure statements oflearning are fullyembedded e.g. usestechnology and digitalmedia tools to learn,communicate, workand thinkcollaboratively andcreatively in aresponsible and ethicalmanner
Ensure all teachersreceive ContinuousProfessionalDevelopment inrelation to new juniorCycle andspecifications
Standardised testingfor second years inmaths and science
DESDES/NCCA
DES/NCCA
DES/NCCA
DES
Availability in schools
Uptake by students
Revision of syllabuses.
CPD rolled out to all(c.26,000 Whole timeequivalent) post-primary teachers overthe lifetime ofimplementation.
Finalise courses inSpring 2014Available to schoolsfrom September 2014
Revised Englishspecification availableto schools September2014.
Revised Sciencespecifications availableto schools in 2015.
Remaining subjects tobe implemented on aphased basis up to2020
Spring 2017 (maths)and Spring 2018(science)
Development of shortcourses for new JuniorCycle
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Strategic Priority Two:Enhance ICT capacity and awareness in the education system
12. ImplementProject Maths
Ensure all teachersreceive ContinuousProfessionalDevelopment inrelation to Project Maths
13. ImplementLiteracy andNumeracy Strategy
14. Build on thepositive impacts ofthe bonus pointsinitiative for HigherLevel Maths
Review of bonus pointsto be carried out bythe IUA
DES
DES
HEIs
Improved take-up ofHigher Level Maths
Better Maths skills for2nd level students
Continue CPD roll outto all (c.5,800) post-primary mathsteachers.
Post-graduate coursefor out of fieldmaths teachers
Increase proportion of15-year olds at Level 4or above in PISA by 5percentage points;
Halve percentage ofstudents at 15 yearsold scoring at or belowL1;
Increase proportiontaking higher levelmathematics in Leavingcertificate to30%;
Increase proportiontaking higher levelMaths in JC to 60%
Increase in the takeup of Higher Levelmaths to 30% duringthe lifetime of theNational Literacy andNumeracy Strategy
Review will considerthe impact and futureof the bonus pointsinitiative.
First mainstream allstrands LC is 2014 andJC 2015
2nd cohort of teacherscurrently studying
Over lifetime ofstrategy, out to 2020
Support for roll out ofProject Maths
Over the lifetime of theNational Literacy andNumeracy Strategy to2020
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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15. Revise SeniorCycle Sciences
Finalise thespecifications forsenior cycle sciences
16. Revise appliedmathematicsspecification
Develop backgroundpaper on appliedmathematics
17. Revise primarymathematicssyllabus
Publication ofbackground researchpapers
18. Launch andImplement the newDigital Strategy forSchools
Publish and implementthe new digitalstrategy which will setout a policy directionfor the use digitaltechnologies inteaching, learning andassessment for thenext 5 years.
NCCA/DES
NCCA
NCCA
DES
Revision of syllabuses
Increased ICTcapacity and usage inschools
Increase in numbersof students applyingfor ICT programmes inhigher educationinstitutions
2014
2014
2014
2014 Engage with DigitalStrategy Developmentthrough publicconsultation process andICT Irelands participationon the ICT in SchoolsSteering Group
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Strategic Priority Two:Enhance ICT capacity and awareness in the education system
19. Include ICT inContinuousProfessionalDevelopment forTeachers
Inclusion of ICT in allcontinuing professionaldevelopment forteachers for example anew course has beendeveloped - ActiveLearning in Literacyand Numeracy usingTablet Devices.
20. Promote Irelandinternationally as adestination for highlevel ICT skills
Devise and implementa programme around asingle website portal,with agency andindustry involvement,to attract internationaltechnical talent,balancing the needs ofboth indigenous andFDI companies.
Organise careers fairsabroad, involvingcompanies with openvacancies, to attractexpatriate andinternational technicaltalent.
Promote internationalawareness of the ICTAction Plan andIrelands commitmentsin this area
DES & PDST
EnterpriseIreland/IDA/Department ofSocial Protection/Department ofForeign Affairs andTrade/IrishSoftwareAssociation/ICT Ireland/ICT industry
New online and faceto face courses rolledout to teachers
Portal to beconsistently in top 3in searches for globaltechnical talent
Active promotion byEI and IDA officesoverseas and byembassies.
Q1-Q4 2014
Detailed proposal to be completed by Q3 2014
Participation in workinggroup
Active participation inportal and Careersmissions;
ICS to supportimmigrating ICTprofessionals.
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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Strategic Priority Three:Ensure Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pool and promote Ireland as a centrefor high-level ICT Skills
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
21. Increaseefficiency of theEmployment permitssystem to facilitateaccess to high levelICT skills fromoverseas
Employers will befacilitated through theissuance of up to 2000employment permitsper annum in the ICToccupations identifiedby the EGFSN reportas in critical shortsupply. This will bereviewed on a six-monthly basis tomonitor progress inaddressing the skillsshortage.
Enactment ofEmployment Permits(Amendment) Bill
Introduction of eForm
DJEI
DJEI
DJEI
Employers are able tosecure the critical ICTskills they need
Creation of newcategories ofEmployment Permitincluding Critical SkillsEmployment Permit;measures to facilitateaccess to Irish labourmarket by skilled ICTprofessionals inshortage areas andtheir families
20% reduction inrejection ofapplications withcorrespondingimprovement inprocessing time,leading to fasterprocessing times,including for ICTprofessionals
Q2 2014
Q1 2014
Q1 2014
Stakeholder feedback
Stakeholder feedback
Stakeholder feedback
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Strategic Priority Three:Ensure Ireland maintains a strong ICT talent pool and promote Ireland as a centrefor high-level ICT Skills
Introduction of TrustedPartner registrationscheme
Design and disseminateawareness-raising e-brochure that highlightsthe attractiveness andadvantages of IrelandsEmployment Permitssystem
Participate in WebSummit 2014
ePayments
22. Run an annualadvanced ICT talentmanagement andretention seminar toshare best practiceamong companies inupskilling and HRtalentmanagement.
Organise and run anannual advanced ICTtalent managementand retention seminar.
DJEI withassistance of IDA,EI, Department ofForeign Affairs andTrade
DJEI
DJEI
DJEI
ICT Ireland andEngineers Ireland.
A fast track forselected pre-registered employersto facilitate hiring ofnon-EEA professionalswith key skills. Firstpriority target groupin 2014 is IDA/EIclients
Greater awareness ofIrelands EP systemresulting in greateruptake by non-EEAexperienced ICTprofessionalspossessing the skillsthat are in shortsupply
Increased uptake bynon-EEA experiencedprofessionalspossessing skills inshort supply
Improvement inprocessing times;user-friendly for non-EEA based clientele
An advanced ICTtalent managementand retention seminarrun
Q2 2014
Q3 2014
Q2 2014
Annually 2014 2018
Stakeholder feedback
ICT Ireland and EngineersIreland
Actions/Tasks LeadResponsibility
SuccessCriteria/Output
Timeframe Industry inputs
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ICT Ac
tion P
lan
23
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ICTSKILLSAction Plan
2014 - 2018
Government, Education and Industry working together tomake Ireland a global leader in ICT talent
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