| dc.description | The sustained economic growth that has been experienced in the Irish economy in
recent years has relied, to a large extent, on the contribution and performance of those
industry sectors that possess the ability to provide high-value-added products and
services to domestic and international markets. One such contributor has been the
Technology sector. However, the performance of this sector relies upon the availability
of the necessary capabilities and competencies for Technology companies to remain
competitive. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs have forecasted future skills
shortages in this sector. The purpose of this research has been to examine the extent to
which Irish Technology companies are taking measures to meet changing skills
requirements, through training and development interventions.
Survey research methods (in the form of a mail questionnaire, supported by a
Web-based questionnaire) have been used to collect information on the expenditure on,
and approach to, training and development in these companies, in addition to the
methods, techniques and tools/aids that are used to support the delivery of these
activities. The contribution of Government intervention has also been examined. The
conclusions have been varied. When the activities of the responding companies are
considered in isolation, the picture to emerge is primarily positive. Although the
expenditure on training and development is slightly lower than that indicated in
previous studies, the results vary by company size. Technical employees are clearly the
key focus of training provision, while Senior Managers and Directors, Clerical and
Administrative staff and Manual workers are a great deal more neglected in training
provision. Expenditure on, and use of, computer-based training methods is high, as is
the use of most of the specified techniques for facilitating learning.
However, when one considers the extent to which external support (in the form
of Government interventions and cooperation with other companies and with education
and training providers) is integrated into the overall training practices of these
companies, significant gaps in practice are identified. The thesis concludes by
providing a framework to guide future training and development practices in the
Technology sector. | en |
