More than 100 graduates have found work opportunities this year thanks to a graduate programme.
The Citi Operations and Technology Academy programme, now in its fourth year, offers graduates the opportunity to build a career in technology through learning, practical work and networking.
This week Citi Belfast welcomed another 50 graduates, their largest intake to date, bringing the total number of recruits for 2013 to 108.
The model for the programme was designed and developed by Citi Belfast and is now incorporated within the company’s graduate programmes across the globe.
The Citi Operations & Technology Academy is open to graduates from a range of disciplines including Business, Economics, Finance, Engineering, Maths and Science.
The 2013 class of graduates will undertake a 12 week training program and will benefit from classroom based learning, project work, networking and team-building opportunities before gaining hands on experience as they begin their careers at Citi.
Company director and Head of Technology, John Healy, said “Citi Belfast is delighted to welcome a record number of graduates into the Citi Operations &Technology Academy in such a competitive market.”
He continued: “Citi Belfast has excellent relationships with local universities and educational institutions. We believe that our future lies with the development and opportunities we are able to offer the next generation of future leaders. The Citi Operations &Technology Academy program gives us a wonderful opportunity to do this.”
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland builders are skilling up in sustainable development thanks to European expertise – with funding recently announced for another 30 places in 2014.
The first of two groups of construction workers have recently returned from Biberach in Germany where they undertook specialist training from sector leader KOMZET (a Centre of Vocational Excellence in Timber Construction and Finishings).
The Building Skills for Sustainable Construction project is organised by CITB-ConstructionSkills NI and funded by the European Commission’s Leonardo programme which is managed by Ecorys in the UK.
The two week programme helped develop the builders’ skills in sustainable construction methods, renewable energy and environmental standards.
Barry Neilson, chief executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills NI,said: “Government targets for more sustainable homes as well as higher demand from customers mean that the skills provided through this training programme are vital for those working in the industry.
“This group has worked hard and learnt a lot about sustainable construction methods and how they can be applied not as part of a special project but as the normal construction practice.
“It is this practical experience that will give participants the opportunity to progress in their current roles or to develop their own business to incorporate energy efficient building.” The recruitment process for the 2014 trip starts later this year. Find out more at www.citbcsni.org.uk or by ‘liking’ CITB-ConstructionSkills NI on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CITBConstructionSkillsNI.