Economy Minister Diane Dodds, said, “I am keenly aware of the impact covid-19 has had on the employment of so many people across a wide range of sectors. That is why I announced 3,000 funded online training places to be delivered by the colleges and universities, representing an investment of £4.6million. The Digital Futures element, to be led by Belfast Met in conjunction with three other local FE colleges, will give people the opportunity to upskill and reskill, enabling them to pursue a career in the vibrant and growing local IT sector.
“Developing the skills of our people right across Northern Ireland is a key priority for me as we begin the process of rebuilding our economy. This investment builds on my previous announcement in June of £1.7million for online training places and I am determined to keep skills at the centre of our long term strategic plans.
“I urge anyone who is eligible to access this free training opportunity.”
The Digital Futures courses offer great career opportunities to graduates in the fast-growing local IT sector, with training available across a range of technologies. There are 55 places for graduates across the three strands of Digital Futures in Cloud, Data Analytics and Cyber. Digital Futures graduates will gain industry-recognised qualifications and the offer of a placement to apply their newly developed skills and knowledge, as well as a weekly training allowance of £150 per week.
Belfast Met’s Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Louise Warde Hunter confirmed, “Digital Futures will offer graduates, who may have never considered a career in IT previously, the opportunity to gain industry relevant qualifications and work experience within the IT sector. While many sectors of the Northern Ireland economy have experienced significant challenges due to the impact of Covid, the IT sector continues to grow and can offer real employment opportunities for participants on this programme.”
The Digital Futures courses are approximately ten-week intensive training programme, followed by a ten-week placement opportunity with a local IT or technology company. No previous experience or IT is needed but applicants must be at least 18 years old, be eligible to work in the UK and have a degree in any discipline.
Belfast Met is delighted to be delivering the Digital Futures Cloud course. Applications open on the 7th October closing on the 19th October. The course will commence on Monday 9th November 2020 to Friday 29th January 2021, (10 weeks which includes a two-week break from 21st December to 1st January 2021).
For more information on all three courses go to www.belfastmet.ac.uk/support-for-business/digital-futures
The training will take place 5 days per week, Monday-Friday, and due to the ongoing pandemic, training will be online through a virtual classroom, and the Data Analytics course at South Eastern Regional College will have blended learning with both virtual and in campus training.
South Eastern Regional College (SERC) and Southern Regional College (SRC) will be leading the Digital Futures Data Analytics course. Recruitment opens on the 7th October and closes at midnight on the 19th October.
The programme commences on the 26th October. For further information contact dscott@serc.ac.uk or moorheads@src.ac.uk
South West College (SWC) is leading on the Digital Futures Cyber course. Recruitment opens on the 6th October and closes on the 13th October. This course will commence on the 26th October. For further information go to https://www.swc.ac.uk/digitalfutures
To apply go to https://app.mindmill.co.uk/MyMindmill/landing/BelfastMet
For further information on Digital Futures please email digitalfutures@belfastmet.ac.uk
Economy Minister Diane Dodds with Belfast Met Principal and Chief Executive Louise Warde Hunter
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