Image copyright Thinkstock Image caption Des Speed warned that jobs could go unfilled because of skills shortages

Many young people in Northern Ireland are being educated for the wrong careers, the head of a Belfast-based technology firm has said.

PathXL chief executive Des Speed said while too many students were training as teachers and lawyers, there was a shortage of skills for firms like his.

He said there was a chance that this would lead to posts going unfilled.

"Skills in software have become a something of a crisis," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Inside Business.

"We all know and applaud the success of Invest NI for the various jobs that have been brought here, but there needs to be a real joined-up approach across government, from education and training through to the workforce.

"Otherwise those jobs won't be filled because the skills won't be available here."

Inside Business is broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster at 13:30 GMT on Sunday.