Rising salaries and a shortage of suitable candidates would appear to be the main issues facing the software localisation industry. However, this has not discouraged many overseas companies from making substantial investments in Ireland during 1997. The Software Localisation Interest Group (SLIG) was formed three years ago as a special interest group for all parties involved in software localisation. It is based at the Localisation Resources Centre at University College Dublin, which is the research and support centre for the industry in Ireland. According to manager Reinhard Schaler (who is also chairperson of SLIG) a number of software localisation companies have opened offices in Ireland over the last 12 months. This expansion was underlined when 200 people attended the group's third annual conference in October - an increase of 100 per cent on the previous year.

"Over recent months we have had calls from people as far afield as Lithuania telling us they will be unable to attend meetings, which shows that we have extended our presence across Europe and raised the profile of Ireland as a location. Ireland is a world leader in localisation (a sector with estimated annual growth of 35 per cent) and this is now being recognised, although a number of challenges have to be met. There is a shortfall in the required skills and the industry has taken steps to tackle this by co-operating with FAS in the establishment of training courses."

Another initiative is the diploma/postgraduate course in software localisation at the University of Limerick, which has attracted more than 50 candidates and was described by Mr Schaler as the "first of its kind in the world". However, he still expresses concern that, in the long term, a shortage of qualified people with experience will make Ireland an uncompetitive location.

Computer Placement recently published its fifth salary survey, which showed that average total salary increase for 1996/'97 was 6.3 per cent and also showed an increase in the level of fringe benefits, such as bonuses, stock options and flexible work schedules.

A new industry is growing up around the localisation of Web content, which involves different business processes. "This will take up a large percentage of the localisation business over the next five years. Ireland is not yet recognised as a leading force in Web content localisation and it would be foolish not to look at and develop new technologies (using the expertise already here) to become a leader in this area also. This is being worked on by a number of companies."

Mr Schaler believes the current job situation is healthy. "There are many openings where companies are looking for skilled staff and these are excellent opportunities for people who want to work in the computer industry. People with project management and software testing skills are in great demand. Those who have tested software and have a good knowledge of computer applications can come in at entry-level without being a graduate. In any case, a computer graduate would probably be bored within a few weeks. Project management positions are often filled by graduates from business environments."

Software localisation provides an employment opportunity in the computer industry for people who don't necessarily have much of a background in computers. There are also small companies and even individuals in Ireland who have developed tools to automate the localisation process, which are being used by industry leaders. "This area would be of great interest to graduates who want to program or solve problems using computer technology."

According to Computer Placement localisation consultant, Tara Maharaj, the localisation industry is now a realistic career option for graduates, and companies are putting in place career structures that reward individuals who follow a technical career path as well as those who progress towards supervisor.

Declan Murphy from Forbairt's international services department forecasts continued expansion for both indigenous and overseas companies and predicts that growth in multimedia applications will add a "new dimension" to the industry. "This will create tremendous opportunities for new and emerging Irish companies and people with a range of skills, from project management and marketing/sales to editorial."

Berlitz (Ireland) announced a 240-job expansion in April and, according to managing director, Brian Kelly, annual growth in the region of 40 per cent reflects the growth experienced across the industry over the last few years. While praising the role of IDA Ireland in attracting new projects, he also touched on the skills issue.

"In common with much of the software sector, we have had some problems recently finding people with the right skills. This has been partly addressed by taking in staff at trainee-level. There has been some movement within the industry, but experienced people - particularly those with management skills - can be hard to find." However, the company has already filled more than half the openings created by its expansion.