Minister meets the next wave of software professionals

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey today visited the North West Regional College to meet the college’s latest intake on the Software

Professional Course.

The Software Professional Course is a 35 week conversion course designed to take graduates from non-IT disciplines and give them the skills they need to work in software development roles in Northern Ireland. Students receive £120 per week in Training Allowances while in training and also have the opportunity to earn bonuses depending on their performance in exams and assignments.

Nearly 20 Northern Ireland businesses have signed up to interview graduates from the course, including local firms and large multinationals, with more expected to come on board in the coming weeks and months.

Speaking after the visit, the minister said: “The ICT industry is vital to the future economic well being of Northern Ireland. One of our biggest challenges is matching up the skills of our workforce with the skills needed by our business, both indigenous and those investing here from overseas. In a time of financial uncertainty around the world, our core strength remains the ability of our people to get the job done.

“Initiatives like the Software Professional Course show how our education system can respond quickly to meet the needs of businesses. I hope that our efforts here can contribute to the continued growth of the local ICT industry and serve as an example of how we are placed to respond to new investment.”

The Department for Employment and Learning funds the Software Professional Course at five locations across four colleges. 126 students were offered places on this year’s course following a challenging series of aptitude tests. Training runs until July 2009 when students will be eligible for employment with the partner companies.

The minister, on his first visit to the college, also visited the campus TV station, as well as touring some of the college’s business incubation facilities.

Notes to Editors:

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