Each year in Ireland a further 2,000 electronic technicians and engineers are needed to take up jobs in the industry, according to Brian McCoy, managing director of M/A-COM Eurotec Operations in Cork, and chairman of the Cork Electronics Industry Association.

"That requirement for 2,000 technicians and engineers per year is a big requirement that is set to go on into the future. Third-level colleges are producing 750 technicians each year. There will be a shortage and there are great opportunities."

There are over 50 electronic companies in the Cork area with up to 7,500 employed in the electronics industry in the county. The CEIA aims to further the successful development of the existing electronic industries and also to attract in new industries and develop local electronic manufacturers and support industries.

"The CEIA would be delighted if more students filling in their CAO forms would go for electronic courses. We believe that a career in electronics is a good choice. There are well paid jobs and good career prospects. There are good promotional prospects in the industry. Also we'd like to see more girls coming into it. There tend to be fewer girls going into engineering. We would welcome more girls.

"We are working with the colleges. The CEIA has a very strong link with UCC and CIT, and we are working very closely with them to attract more people into this area."

The CEIA, which was set up over 10 years ago, is made up of 45 members who come from the electronic companies based in the Cork area.

McCoy explains that in his own experience "in the past 20 years I have seen the whole electronics industry grow, and grow continually." Although companies like Seagate have closed down, he says "obviously you are going to have one or two that won't be going so well. At the other end of the spectrum there are companies that are doing well and some that are doing extremely well. "