Last Friday saw the Bring IT On road show arrive at the Belfast Metropolitan College, Titanic Quarter, Belfast for the third of four planned regional events taking place this year.
These events are organised by for Northern Ireland, in collaboration with e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology, Invest NI and supported by The Department for Employment and Learning and Invest NI.
The event aims are to:
- Provide information about the skills requirements and career opportunities with the IT sector in Northern Ireland
- Interactively demonstrate the variety and attractiveness of a career in IT
- Offer guidance on the selection of appropriate subjects at GCE level , and
- Provide an insight into studying computing at college and university
The content for the Regional Bring IT On events has been designed and is being delivered in conjunction with local universities and colleges and this event which was hosted by Belfast Met's School of Electrical, Electronics and Computing Technologies attracted pupils from Priory Integrated College Holywood, Hazelwood Integrated College Newtownabbey, Lismore Comprehensive School Craigavon and students from BMC campuses.
Staff and first year foundation degree students from Belfast Met also participated in the event by working with the pupils and students and assisting the organisers.
Industry ambassadors from local ICT companies also continue to support the 'BringITon' campaign by participating in the current series of Bring IT ON Regional events.
ICT Ambassadors - L to R: Michelle McFadden NiSoft, Natalie Thompson NiSoft, Kate McMaster Momentum, Siobhan Gallagher Shout and Stephen Thompson Allstate at the Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter Bring IT On Event on Friday 16th March 2012
Previous events have also had the support of local companies; events hosted by Queen's University School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Whitla Hall and the University of Ulster’s School of Computing and Mathematics at Jordanstown had industry representatives from Consilium Technologies, Cybersource, Lloyds Banking Group, Citi, Allstate and Total Mobile in attendance.
Pupils attending these events are encouraged to engage with ICT ambassadors from industry and the universities to review their job roles and experiences. The pupils are also informed, excited and enthused about computing as a career through a variety of presentations, video's and fun quizzes so they can gain an appreciation of the diversity of jobs and associated lifestyles available in the ICT sector.
Kate McMaster of Momentum said:- It is very encouraging that the computing sector in Northern Ireland continues to support these events. Our thanks go to all of the ambassadors that have given up their time at this and other events to help attract the next generation. Their presence means that students can gain a real insight into the exciting careers that are out there. We also thank our membership companies for providing staff and resources in support of the Bring IT On campaign.
The final event in this series hosted by the University of Ulster's Magee Campus will take place on 23rd March at NWRC, Londonderry.