In response to the digital skills shortage in Ireland, the Dublin-based Digital Marketing Institute has devised a new course that will prepare graduates and professionals for full-time employment in digital marketing in just six months.
The European Commission predicts 900,000 unfilled digital jobs across Europe by 2015 while Amárach Research forecasts 18,000 new digital jobs in Ireland by 2016.
“The very pointed message that we are receiving from the industry is that there is a significant skills gap,” said Ian Dodson, CEO of the Digital Marketing Institute. “As the shift to digital continues apace, organisations are needing to adapt fast and are crying out for intelligent, skilled digital marketing professionals. The ticking digital marketing talent time bomb is very real, and it’s not going away.”
Pushing the digital agenda
The new Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing course offered by the institute starts 10 June and will run full time throughout the summer. Three months of tuition will take place in Trinity College Dublin, followed by a three-month internship.
The 180-day course is aimed at graduates and marketing and business professionals looking to reskill or upskill. Topics covered include search, social media and mobile marketing, as well as digital display advertising, e-commerce, email, web analytics and campaign planning and management.
“It is important that Ireland does not become complacent – the country has made enormous positive steps in attracting multinational digital companies and the Government is to be commended for this,” Dodson added. “However, it must do more to push the digital agenda in third-level institutions, post-grad teaching and continual professional development.”
Open evenings for the new Digital Marketing Institute course will be held on 22 and 30 April in Chartered Accountants House, Dublin.
