Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Working Life

Website designers can use a number of different ways to communicate information; this means that they use multimedia. For example, their website may have text, speech, graphics, interactive buttons, animation or video pictures.  
 
To create a website, designers have to think carefully about the end user. They need to achieve a balance between attractive design and delivering clear, easy to understand information. The most successful sites allow people to travel around them easily. Many designers make their websites as interactive as possible. This means that there is a two-way flow of information between the user and the website; the computer responds to the user's requests.  

Some companies ask website designers to manage the sites they have created. They must make sure that site information is up-to-date and relevant. To do this, they work closely with colleagues, including public relations staff and software engineers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write supporting code for Web applications or Web sites.
• Design, build, or maintain Web sites, using authoring or scripting languages, content creation tools, management tools, and digital media.
• Back up files from Web sites to local directories for instant recovery in case of problems.
• Select programming languages, design tools, or applications.
• Evaluate code to ensure that it is valid, is properly structured, meets industry standards, and is compatible with browsers, devices, or operating systems.
• Develop databases that support Web applications and Web sites.
• Perform Web site tests according to planned schedules, or after any Web site or product revision.
• Perform or direct Web site updates.
• Maintain understanding of current Web technologies or programming practices through continuing education, reading, or participation in professional conferences, workshops, or groups.
• Analyse user needs to determine technical requirements.

Further Information

• Web Designer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Web Developer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Web developer- from: GradIreland

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

There are various routes into this job. Many entrants have a degree or diploma in a computer-related subject. Some people enter with a degree or diploma in a design related subject.  
 
There are a wide variety of courses available in Multimedia Computing, Design with Multimedia Studies, Multimedia Graphics, Interactive Systems Design, and Electronic Media Design.  
 
You may be able to enter this career with a degree in a non-IT subject; some employers give IT training to people with a background in more traditional design subjects. Art and design are among the most useful non-IT subjects for entry.

Springboard courses: ICT Web Design & Innovation NFQ Level 7-9.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: digital media production, SCRUM master skills.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: digital marketing, web design, fastrack into IT.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: ICT, Software Development, Cybersecurity, ICT Network Engineer.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: web development, multimedia, mobile, web technology, computer science.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: web design technologies, innovation.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €90k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Morgan McKinley/ Prosperity/ Indeed/ Collins McNicholas/ Sigmar

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: IT business analysts; architects and systems designers; Web design and development professionals; Information technology and telecommunications professionals n.e.c.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The negative average annual employment growth rate over the five-year period for this occupation is partly related to changes in the LFS in 2017; however, employment has declined annually since 2020. Those employed were primarily male, working full-time and held third-level qualifications. The share of non-Irish citizens employed far exceeded the national average (41% compared to 19% nationally).

Despite the decline in employment, over 3,500 new employment permits were issued in 2022 across a range of roles including IT analysts/engineers (cloud, security, systems, network, test), There was a high volume of mentions in the Recruitment Agency Survey for network/security and site reliability engineers while vacancies for software testers were cited as difficult to fill by employers in the Skills for Growth data, particularly for those with cybersecurity, cloud computing and HTML skills. The number of online job adverts declined by 12% in 2022, predominantly due to the fall in postings for systems analysts which alone accounted for nearly half the total decline in ICT job postings in 2022.

Despite falling employment numbers, strong demand remains evident across the indicators in key areas such as network/cloud and security engineering. The move to remote working since the onset of the pandemic, along with the war in Ukraine, have increased the prevalence of cybersecurity threats39 with demand for these skills likely to persist. The fall in online vacancy advertisements indicates a slowing in demand but shortages remain, at least in the short-term.

• Smart Futures

  • Discover Science & Engineering, Wilton Park House, Wilton Place, Dublin, 2
  • Click Here

• ICS - The Society for Chartered IT Professionals in Ireland

  • 87-89 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4
  • (01) 237 7788
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Institute of Designers in Ireland

  • The Digital Hub, Roe Lane, Thomas St., Dublin 8
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here