A NEW technology academy will provide graduates with the skills and experience needed to take advantage of exciting new ICT opportunities.
Designed and delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College, the Cloud Academy will offer an intensive 21 week training programme to 14 successful applicants.
Upon completion of the programme, which will include a six week work work placement, the participants will gain an industry recognised qualification and a potential offer of employment.
Launching the academy the minister for Employment and Learning, Stephen Farry said:
“Cloud Technology is an exciting new area of development identified by employers. Northern Ireland’s advanced telecoms network means it is an excellent location for the deployment and use of Cloud technologies.
“The Cloud Academy is another excellent example of a government intervention to improve the skills of unemployed graduates, whilst providing skills that our employers have identified as a requirement for the future and our economy. The Academy provides training for graduates with industry recognised qualifications and work experience in preparation for job opportunities in this vibrant growth area.”
Highlighting the work being taken forward to support the ICT sector, Minister Farry stated: “As chair of the ICT Working Group, I have worked closely with other Government Departments, employers and our local further education colleges and universities, to develop and implement an ICT Skills Action Plan. The Plan has already produced a number of positive results in support of the ICT sector since its launch in summer 2012. The Cloud Academy addresses one of the key areas of growth within the ICT and other sectors.”
The academy will aim to equip the participants with the skills requirements that have been identified by indigenous companies wishing to expand in this area of cloud technology and provide new job opportunities.
Nine employers are involved in the programme including CITI, BT, Relay, Liberty IT, Kana, Sophia Search, new CMI, NYX and Leaf Consultancy.
Assistant Chief Executive and Director of Curriculum at Belfast Met, Justin Edwards, commented on how the Cloud Academy will make a real difference to the local ICT sector. He said: “New training initiatives such as the Cloud Academy are complementary to the College’s core offering of further education, higher education and professional courses. By working in partnership with employers, the Department and awarding organisations we are training potential employees so that they have the right skills at the right time.”
Applications to will close on 13 September 2013 and the programme is open to degree or equivalent graduates from any discipline.The training programme for successful applicants will start at the beginning of November 2013 and run until May 2014 and is supported by the Department for Employment and Learning and Invest Northern Ireland under the Assured Skills programme.
Applications can now be submitted online at http://cloud.mindmill.co.uk. Further information is available at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/cloudacademy or http://www.jobcentreonline.com.