Bring IT On NI is an IT careers attractiveness programme designed by e-skills UK, a not-for-profit, employer-led organisation licensed by government as the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.
With the bringitonni.info website and a full programme of talks and live events, Bring IT On NI aims to get 14-19 year olds excited about IT careers by showing them how technology impacts their daily lives – stimulating demand among young people for technology-related degrees and careers, as well as reducing the gender imbalance in IT.
First created in 2008 as part of the Future Skills Action Plan for IT, and in conjunction with the Department of Employment and Learning, Invest NI and Momentum, the bringitonni.info website was fully updated in January 2012 thanks to funding from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) Employer Investment Fund (EIF) .
The new website shows just how motivating and rewarding careers in technology can be. Featuring video interviews with IT professionals in a range of roles, as well as company profiles, games, competitions and quizzes, the site is all designed to show young people the many exciting career options technology has to offer. There’s also information from Northern Ireland colleges and universities to explain how young people can start their career in IT, from GCSEs and A Levels to apprenticeships and degrees. In addition, there is a section of the website dedicated for parents to accurately inform them of the IT sector through research data and senior ambassador videos.
The IT and Telecoms sector is forecast to grow at up to nine times the Northern Ireland average over the next decade. Many foreign direct investment and indigenous companies currently excel in software development – using IT and Telecoms to develop cutting edge business solutions.
Northern Ireland continues to cement its place among the top regions in Europe for IT and Telecoms companies to invest and has gained an international reputation for producing IT and Telecoms graduates of the highest calibre. With the Bring IT On initiative, Northern Ireland can expect another generation of first-class technology graduates to attract further inward investment.
If you are an employer or educator interested in becoming involved in any of the areas mentioned above, or would be keen to host a competition, please do not hesitate to get in touch - Carol.McConville@e-skills.com
To find out more about us and our work in Northern Ireland, please visit www.e-skills.com/ni