February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Harry Keaney
The demand for skilled IT professionals in Europe will continue to outstrip supply by up to 13 percent during the next three years, according to research from International Data Corporation and Microsoft.
The IDC figures predict a shortfall of 5,635 skilled information technology workers required to fill 54,296 jobs in Ireland in 2000.
In the report, analysts warn that the lack of skilled professionals poses an increasingly serious threat to the European marketplace.
Carol Darby, IT skills development manager at Microsoft Ireland, said that with the skills gap clearly showing demand outstripping supply, it is necessary to take immediate action. "We advocate promoting IT skills through education from the very earliest of ages,” she said.
Irish American website
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A website aimed at the 44 million Irish-Americans in the U.S. was launched last week with the backing of AOL, which has 22 million subscribers. According to an introductory message on the website, it’s the only website produced in Ireland specifically for Irish Americans.
ireland-usa.com has been set up by a company called CultureLink which is owned by public relations adviser Mary McGovern and her husband John Carberry.
The daily news content will be provided by e-dotial, a company headed by former Evening Herald editor Paul Drury.
The website contains a database on Irish genealogy, history, music, literature, arts and culture, language, industry, politics and tourism.
"It’s a unique celebration of the special relationship between Ireland and the USA, brought to you in partnership with America Online and the Irish government," according to the message.
Focus on the film industry
The Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States will host "In Irish Eyes: the Business of the Irish Film Industry," a cocktail party with the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of ICCUSA, in conjunction with International House’s Irish Week, on March 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Philo Club, 1923 Walnut Street, in Philadelphia.
The guest speaker will be Michael Gray, film critic for the Irish Echo Newspaper and author of "Stills, Reel and Rushes: Ireland and the Irish in Twentieth Century Cinema."
Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door for ICCUSA members and their guests; for non-members, admission is $35 in advance and $40 for non-members.
Details, call Rory Wilson at (215) 574-3100 or log onto www.iccusa.org
IBO news
The Irish Business Organization of New York will host a midtown Manhattan networking breakfast on March 28 at 8 a.m. in the Mezze Restaurant on 44th Street, between Fifth and Madison avenues. Details, call Bill Buckley at (212) 627-2111.
A networking breakfast for northern New Jersey will take place April 4 at 8 a.m. in the Grasshopper Restaurant, Carlstadt. Details, call John Corkery at (201) 796-2571.
A networking breakfast for central and south Jersey will take place April 6 at 7 a.m. in Fishtales Restaurant, Atlantic Highlands. Details, call Bernadette McManus at (212) 571-1150 or Jim Hinckley at (732) 747-0066.
A networking breakfast on Long Island will take place April 6 at 8 a.m. in IHOP Restaurant, Williston park, at the corner of Hillside and Willis avenues. Details, call Brian Cunningham at (516) 746-2133.
The IBO-UCD debate has been postponed until April 6. It will take place at 7 p.m. in Swifts Bar, 4th and Lafayette.
An IBO team will participate in the fourth annual Concern Worldwide 5K Fun Run on April 16.
The IBO’s golf outing will take place on June 15 in the New Jersey National Golf Club, Basking Ridge. There will be lunch at 11 a.m. and shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Dinner will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Celtic gift fair
What organizers are calling "the largest exhibition of Celtic gift items ever presented to the U.S. market" will take place from April 29 through May 2 in the Embassy Suites Hotel in Secaucus, N.J.
More than 150 companies from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales will participate. The companies, mostly manufacturers, will show more than 2,000 lines and 20,000 items including brassware, candles, collectibles, crystal, ceramics, china, dolls, executive gifts, fashion, frames, food, glassware, handcrafts, heraldic goods, home accents, knitwear, jewelry, licensed products, lighting, metalware, oak sculptures, oil and fragrances, perfume, pewter, porcelain, pottery, games, religious goods, stationery, turf products, tabletop, wedding and bridal accessories, wood, music and more.
The show will start t 10 a.m. on April 29 and will continue daily from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. until May 2.
Entertainment will be provided on Sunday and Monday evenings by Brendan Grace and Andy Cooney and his band.