Here is a particular shortage of people with diplomas and certificates in electronic engineering - "these are the two critical areas," says Dr Joe McBreen, managing director of Connaught Electronics in Tuam , Co Galway. "You'd notice the shortage in that there's much more mobility within the engineering sector than in the past. It has swung from being an employer's market to being an employee's one."

Electronic companies do want people to come west, he says. Connaught Electronics (CEL) is a native company, which is not owned by any overseas corporation. It employs 145 people.

Generally, McBreen explains, electronic graduates who find work in the west are people who have studied at UCG or either of the two regional technical colleges - Athlone and Galway. "Most of the people working in this area are from the west," he says. As for those who have moved away, he says "most wish to return to the west. Generally a lot of people just want to live in Galway."

Prospects are good, he says. "The opportunities are there for those, as in any industry, who are willing to take on more. Certainly we find that, if people are anxious to come west, we can attract quite good candidates."

And women in electronic engineering? "There are hardly any, there are far too few in the sector."

On the whole, the scene is one of growth. "In any one company that I'm aware of, they are all on a growth trend. I don't see it slowing down yet. There are great opportunities there."