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BellTIME
Training and skills organisation FIT
launched a new partnership with J.P.
Morgan in July 2016, a partnership to
widen access and support diversity
through the FIT ICT Associate
Professional programme.
With support from the JPMorgan
Chase Foundation, FIT said it is
aiming to attract women and men
from diverse backgrounds to consider
careers in ICT, as demand grows for
skilled entrants.
The FIT ICT Associate Professional
programme is aimed at those who
have an interest in and a passion for
technology, but perhaps have not had
the opportunities to develop those
interests, either academically or
professionally.
The programme provides training and
experience in software development
and network engineering. The dual
education nature of the courses,
combining college-based learning
with work-based training, broadens
the choices available to people, says
FIT, particularly those who favour
learning by doing. Candidates gain a
qualification that will position them well
for a career in a technology role across
any sector.
Carin Bryans, Senior Country Officer of
Ireland, J.P. Morgan said: “While the
overall labour market situation has
improved, young people without
university degrees and long-term
unemployed still find it difficult
accessing quality jobs. We know that
quality training and development of
key in-demand skills, including
Software Development and Network
Engineering, is a powerful strategy for
expanding access to opportunity and
promoting economic mobility. We are
excited to support the mainstreaming
of apprenticeships in high growth
sectors in the economy, like
technology, and scaling the ICT
Associate Professional apprenticeshipstyle programme is a great way of
doing this.”
“The gap between those qualifying
with relevant skills and the number of
opportunities available in technology
roles continues to grow - demanding
a new and innovative response. We
believe that this new approach to
Mr. Liam Ryan, FIT Chairperson and
Managing Director of SAP Ireland said:
(Left to right) BACK ROW Liam Ryan SAP, Michael Moriarty ETBI, Minister for
Training and Skills John Halligan T.D., Carin Bryans J.P. Morgan, George Ryan
FIT, FRONT ROW Edel Hesnan FIT, Betty McLaughlin President IGC
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With the support of
education will play a critical part in
providing access to a new pool of
people with the right skills that are in
demand by industry now. Employers
have the opportunity to directly
influence the skills that form part of
the qualification – the ‘on the job’
learning is a critical component – ideal
for a student but also for the employer
as it means that someone is ready for
work – and indeed already working
for them – on the day that they
qualify.”