E-business needs training

The successful development of e-business in this State will be hampered unless greater numbers of people acquire the necessary skills, according to a recent report by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. "E-business presents the country with important opportunities, and it is progressively becoming a prerequisite for staying in business in many industries. Skills shortages and deficiencies, however, potentially form the most difficult-to-overcome obstacle to Irish success in e-business," the document warns.

The report calls for changes in third-level course content at both degree and sub-degree level, not only in business courses, but also in computing, fine art and design programmes. Business schools, in particular, need to make a range of programme changes in order to respond to the e-business needs of the economy and to improve their graduates' prospects, the report suggests.

These include an increased focus on IT and e-business-related academic content across all business disciplines and an increase in the number of IT subjects in most programmes. Business schools, too, should consider the possibility of inserting an introductory design and communications subject into all business programmes. At primary and postgraduate degree level, institutions should consider offering additional information systems specialisations, split equally between business and IT. Meanwhile, colleges with substantial postgraduate business activity should seek to expand MBS-style programmes in information systems and e-commerce and should consider the introduction of programmes in the management of technology enterprises. Those colleges offering MBA courses should step up the focus on IT and e-business and should consider the introduction of specialist MBA programmes in the management of technology enterprises. Regular updating of business school faculty skills is vital in order to keep up with e-business development, the report continues: "Business school faculties should undertake a significant volume of curriculum development across all business disciplines to address the changes in course content that arise from e-business.

"Much of this work should be done collaboratively within and between the colleges, and there should be improved contact and consultation on course content with international centres of business education and companies that are very active in business." While most third-level computing departments are making "reasonable" efforts to keep course content up to date, the expert group has identified some gaps. The number of Internet data centres setting up in the Republic will mushroom in the coming years. "These operations will require internetworking skills which are in short supply. It is essential and urgent that colleges should shift the focus of some computing programmes to emphasise the operating system and networking skills required for internetworking," the report argues. While there will be some requirement for this at degree level, the greater need will be at sub-degree level, the expert skills group believes.

Other changes to be considered by computing departments include increases in the project management content of their courses and the delivery of short business awareness subjects to final year students. "Computer departments with a significant web page design, animation and/or multimedia content should consider offering an introductory design and communications subject." The report notes that many fine arts graduates are undertaking courses in web design, after graduation. "All fine art students should have the option of access to a web design subject before graduation," it suggests.

Similarly, industrial design and visual communications courses should include the marketing and communications aspect of web design. All third-level students should have the option of taking short e-business courses. The report recommends the establishment of an e-business skills partnership, between Forfas, the Department of Education and Science and the HEA. This, the report notes, would facilitate interaction between the third-level institutions and business/industry.