Digital Futures Initiative Launched – Data Analytics on offer at SERC

South Eastern Regional College, in partnership with a number of the FE Colleges, led by Belfast Met, is part of a new Digital Futures initiative funded by the Department for the Economy which will offer graduates an opportunity to gain the skills and qualifications to enable them to pursue a career within the IT sector.  

Digital Futures was developed in partnership with the Belfast City Regional Deal as a response to the challenges posed by Covid-19 and the need to support people impacted due to the ongoing pandemic, and recognising the need to invest in skills to support the growth of the IT sector in NI.

The Digital Futures Academies 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 Security. Academy 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.

Debbie Scott, Programmes Manager at SERC said, “Digital Futures will offer graduates who may have never considered a career in IT previously with the opportunity to gain industry relevant qualifications and work experience within the IT sector. Whilst 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 Academies are approximately ten-week intensive training courses, 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. 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.

South Eastern Regional College and Southern Regional College will be leading the Data Analytics Security Academy. Recruitment closes at midnight on the 19 October. The programme commences on the 26 October.  

For further information contact dscott@serc.ac.uk  or moorheads@src.ac.uk For more information on all three Academies go to www.belfastmet.ac.uk/support-for-business/digital-futures