Gerard Walker from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation discusses the future skills needs for data and analytics in Ireland.

1. Dublinked Data Opens Doors Summit 7th
May 2015
EGFSN Study: Demand for Big Data/Data Analytics Skills in Ireland-2020
Gerard Walker, Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
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2. Aim of Study
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•This Study was undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. Its aim is to:
a)Forecast the annual demand for Big Data / Data Analytics and related skills across the Irish
economy over the period up to 2020.
b)To assess the current and emerging qualifications, skillsets and competences requirements.
c)To advance recommendations on measures to build up the big data and data analytics talent
pool. This is to ensure our skills capability base is sufficient to drive performance within existing
enterprises, start–ups and new foreign direct investment.
•The study is an input to the Governments Action Plan for Jobs. The goal is for Ireland to
become a leading country in data analytic services.
•Actions to create an ecosystem to support growth in data analytics and big data are being
driven by a joint –Industry Government Big Data Taskforce.

3. Estimation of Current Sectoral Concentration of Analytics
Employment in Ireland
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• Some sectors and larger firms in particular are further along the big data and analytics usage maturity curve
• Big data and analytics will become increasingly important across all sectors of the economy
• Important to consider the value of “small data” for SMEs – this type of business data
might be of smaller volume, slower velocity and narrower variety – nonetheless
enhanced use of this data in a smart way can realise business value

4. Big Data / Data Analytics Talent categories
The study considered employment demand across three main skills categories:
Deep Analytical Talent
Roles with a combination of (i) advanced statistical, analytical & machine learning skills; (ii)business skills;
(iii) analytical & problem solving skills, and (iv) communication skills to explain/ persuade board/ senior
executives. This role has been identified as hardest to fill.
Big Data “savvy” Talent
Roles comprising “data savvy” managers, CIO’s, market research analysts, business and functional
managers require an understanding of the value and use of analytics to enable them to utilise the insights
from the data and take better business decisions that will create value for the company.
IT Supporting Technology
Those in supporting technology roles develop, implement and maintain the hardware and software tools
and manage the databases to extract value from a wide variety of data i.e Hadoop, MySQL, MapReduce,
visualisation software.
•Business acumen ethics, communications, teamworking, problem solving skills are key requirements
•There are also related skills requirements within finance, legal, internal audit and risk control roles
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5. Main Big Data Analytics Skill Categories
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6. Potential High Growth Scenario
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• To understand how data analytics demand may evolve up to 2020 three scenarios were developed
to depict potential future outcomes, utilising international and domestic research, qualitative research
with companies, sectoral employment forecasts, and estimates of potential inward investment.
• Under the High Growth Scenario, the estimated baseline employment of 35,000 in 2013 would grow
to 63,000 in 2020 of which two thirds would be due to expansion demand and one third upskilling
(the latter mainly for Big data “savvy” roles)
• There would be 21,000 potential job openings arising from both expansion demand and replacement
demand for the following two roles over the period up to 2020
 Deep analytical talent – 3,600 (mainly expansion demand)
 Big data “savvy” roles – 17,500 (equal balance between expansion & replacement demand)
There would be a further 8,800 job openings for ICT professional supporting technology roles
(mainly due to expansion demand). The demand for this role is being addressed within the
Government ICT Skills Action Plan

7. Domestic supply of Big Data / Analytics Skills programmes
 The supply of Big Data and Analytics third level courses within Ireland is still at an early stage. The
provision of relevant work experience is essential. Interdisciplinary skills are becoming increasing
important as is the need for collaboration across academic departments
 An assessment was completed of course provision for data analytics and related skills in Ireland at
NFQ levels 6/7 and 8/9/10 as follows. A listing of these courses is available on the EGFSN website.
 Dedicated Big Data and Analytics Programmes – 20 courses with an enrolment of over 500
 Programmes that include significant training/elements in data analytics
 Core degrees - maths, statistics and science
 Computer Science Programmes
 Engineering Programmes
 Physics Programmes
 Private Data Analytics Programmes
 Online Education in Data Analytics
 Demand for the above skills is high across other sectors of the economy as well as data analytics
 Industry ready PhDs such as through INSIGHT will be another potential source of talent
 Springboard programmes for the unemployed are also being offered
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8. Recommendations
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Enterprise and education providers should collaborate to increase the output and ensure the quality
and relevance of Big Data and analytics courses- including examples such as IBM with DCU and EMC2
with UCC.
Increase the domestic output and quality of “Data analytics savvy” talent. Industry as well as higher
education institutions has a key role to play here.
Improve senior executives understanding – both in the private and public sector - of the potential of
data analytics for business performance. An enterprise –wide approach to managing data analytics
capabilities is essential – including providing clear career path progression and upskilling of talent
Promote Ireland Internationally as the Centre for Analytical talent. A single wed-site portal is being
developed within the ICT Skills Action Plan for the attraction of experienced talent from abroad including
expatriate talent.
Inspire the next generation of Analytic Talent. Communicate career opportunities in big data and
analytics to students and their parents and teachers.
Unlock the potential of Big data and Analytics in the Public Service- such as Dublin City Partnership
with IBM Smarter Cities Technology Centre. Also Public sector reform and e – government.
.

9. • For further Information on the full report
please see website
www.egfsn.ie
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10. • For further Information on the full report
please see website
www.egfsn.ie
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