The closure of Seagate raised question marks in many people's minds about the viability of careers in the electronics sector. The message that IDA chief executive Kieran McGowan is sending out is that as in any industry there will always be casualties, but the fact remains that the sector as a whole is continuing to show strong growth.

"The overall prospects are good for anyone choosing a career in this area," he asserts. "It's possible that people will end up doing a number of different jobs in two or three different companies." The vital issue is, that armed with the right training and skills, people are able to move - and the jobs are there.

"Currently in the industry, personnel at all levels - from operator to senior management - have worked in a number of companies. Change takes place in other industries but it happens more rapidly in this sector." No one anywhere is now guaranteed a job for life.

Over 300 foreign-owned companies develop, market and manufacture a wide range of leading-edge products in Ireland. The sector employs more than 32,000 people and is responsible for one third of Ireland's annual exports.

McGowan says that he would "absolutely encourage" young people to consider careers in this area. "I would encourage people to take up computer science and electronic and mechanical engineering," he says. "The bigger companies located here, including Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Intel, have plans for considerable further growth."

The industry provides major opportunities for RTC-qualified technicians. Students taking Leaving Cert subjects who are unlikely to get the points for university should consider appropriate RTC programmes, McGowan advises. "People are usually aware of the opportunities available to graduate engineers, but they are often ignorant of the attractiveness of technicians' jobs. There are great opportunities for people who are interested in handson careers," he stresses.