Careers 2017: Develop a career in Ireland’s thriving IT sector

FIT ICT Associate Professional is an IT Apprenticeship-Style, ‘Learn and Earn’ pathway to a career in the technology sector which has been endorsed by industry and government.

This dual education model of provision is a two-year programme during which you attain a Level 6 ICT and Professional Development Qualification and will then be awarded the title of FIT ICT Associate Professional.

FIT teamed up with financial services company JP Morgan for the programme in a bid to widen access and support diversity through the tech industry. The FIT ICT Associate Professional is promoted as an ‘earn and learn’ programme. Through the support of the JP Morgan Chase Foundation, FIT aims to attract women and men from diverse backgrounds to consider embarking on fulfilling careers in ICT which has an ever growing need for fresh talent.

The first six months are college-based where candidates will acquire the technical skills. The remaining 18 months are a combination of work-place application and college-based learning where candidates will further their skills development and apply their learning to live projects within their sponsoring company.

Programme success

The programme has been running successfully across Ireland for the last two years. More than 100 employers are already sponsoring candidates in 11 locations including Dublin, Cork, Galway and the midlands.

In July 2016, FIT and JP Morgan announced a new partnership to widen access and support diversity through the FIT ICT Associate Professional.

Through the support of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, FIT aims to attract women and men from diverse backgrounds to consider embarking on fulfilling careers in ICT which has an ever growing need for fresh talent.

In recognition of the innovative nature of the programme in supplying the tech sector with an alternative talent pipeline, FIT recently won the ‘Technical Training Programme of the Year’ award for the programme at the IT@Cork Leader Awards.

How do I sign up ?

If you are a tech enthusiast and interested in joining the FIT ICT Associate Professional Programme, apply online via www.fit.ie — or call Vincent on 086-0276698.