Niall Quinn is pictured with some of the 600 Irish-owned software companies promoting the new initiative.

Footballer turned entrepreneur, Niall Quinn launched the IT’s Happening Here initiative to promote career opportunities in the Irish-owned software sector, where around 1,500 vacancies are waiting to be filled. IT’s Happening Here is targeting software professionals both at home and overseas and offers creative, dynamic positions with multiple responsibilities in Ireland’s home-grown software industry.

The campaign is centred around the new ITsHappeningHere.ie website where Irish-owned software companies can post their jobs.

IT’s Happening Here, an industry-led initiative of the Irish-owned software industry supported by Enterprise Ireland.

Jennifer Condon, Manager of Software Division at Enterprise Ireland said: ‘Finding IT talent is currently the single biggest challenge for our software companies. Strongly focused on exports the Irish owned software industry is one of our fastest growing indigenous industries delivering double digit growth in exports every year. It is crucial that we attract talent to the industry to ensure continued growth at this level.’

Niall Quinn, whose company Q Sat will soon be looking for technically gifted professionals said: ‘The Irish have always been a creative people and our IT industry is a demonstration of this creativity. The Irish owned software industry is leading edge, innovative and dynamic and contributes significantly to both our economy and our culture. We are looking to attract the very best talent from graduate to director level to keep us at the top of our game.’

Jarlath Dooley, chair of the industry working group behind IT’s Happening Here and HR Director in Version 1 adds: ‘There are currently 1500 open vacancies in this industry. These roles offer exciting opportunities to really contribute, have your voice heard and your ideas implemented. To paraphrase George Bernard Shaw: “we dream things that never were and ask why not?’

Website: http://www.itshappeninghere.ie/