Growth in Caffrey's sales slows

RAPID growth of Caffrey's Irish Ales brewed by Bass in Belfast has come to an end following the onset of tough competition from "me too" brands Kilkenny, Calder's Cream Ale, Wexford and Beamish Red launched by rival brewers.

Sir Ian Prosser, chairman of Bass, said Caffrey's was now "well established". But sales increased only 3.8 per cent in the half year to April 12th, a markedly slower rate of growth compared with the annual increases enjoyed in 1995 and 1996. Overall, trade estimates indicate that sales of Caffrey's are now running at around 450,000 barrels a year. Interim figures at Bass show a 10 per cent increase in profits to £318 million on turnover up 6.8 per cent at £2.7 billion before currency adjustments. Earnings per share rose 13.2 per cent to 24.8p providing three times cover for the interim dividend, up 7.8 per cent at 8.3p per share.

AN awareness campaign to insure against a skills shortage in three sectors expected to create 26,500 jobs over the next three years has been launched by Forfas.

Students and young people are to be encouraged to prepare for jobs in the teleservices, electronics and software industries. A brochure, Where the Jobs are and How to Get Them, is to be distributed to school leavers, teachers and career guidance counsellors.

The Government has recently announced the creation of 3,000 new places in third level colleges and Post Leaving Cert courses, to meet the hightech requirements.

According to Forfas, employment in the teleservices industry is expected to grow from 3,500 to 10,000 over the next three years. In the same period employment levels in the electronics sector are expected to increase from 28,000 to 38,000, and in the software sector from 15,000 to 25,000.

The electronics industry is one of the fastest growing in Ireland, and needs electrical, electronic, mechanical, production, manufacturing, engineering, plastics and instrumentation technicians.

Ireland is the fifth largest producer of software in the world, according to Forfas. It is the second largest software exporter after the US. The key job in the industry is the software developer/engineer.

The awareness campaign was launched yesterday by the Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, and the Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach. Mr Bruton said "some 30,000" new jobs are expected in the 3 sectors over the next three years.

"It is vital for the continuation of the current jobs boom that our young people make the right choices in the education and training they undertake," Mr Bruton said.

Ms Breathnach said the education system was responding to the changing patterns of employment and particularly to the growing need for high technology graduates and young people with foreign language skills.