Log into a computing career at ‘Bring It On’

Employment Minister Sir Reg Empey has said that finding out about a career in Information Communications Technology (ICT) has never been easier.

ICT is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful sectors and additional sources of information will help people to find out more about computing careers here.

Sir Reg said: “As part of our delivery of the ‘Bring IT On’ advertising campaign we asked young people, parents and teachers what more they needed to know about working in Northern Ireland’s IT sector. They told us that they needed a really clear view of how they could get into the industry, what types of jobs were available and where these jobs could take them.”

The three new sources of information include a web tool showing progression routes for potential learners, a snapshot of Northern Ireland’s IT industry and a special event where teachers visit local companies to experience ICT careers at first hand.

The first development which will answer this challenge is an exciting new tool for the Bring IT On website called ‘Progression Routes’. With a few clicks of a mouse, students, parents and teachers will now be able to easily chart their way through the wide range of ICT careers available locally.

While parents wanted more information they also wanted reassurance that the IT profession is here to stay. The latest NI IT Snapshot (available at http://www.e-skills.com/ni/snapshot) illustrates that the IT industry is currently growing in Northern Ireland and offers exciting careers to those with the necessary qualifications.

The Minister added: “It is encouraging to see that, in the face of the recession, IT as a sector in Northern Ireland has continued to hold its own.

“It looks like this positive trend is likely to carry on – employers who took part in the survey said they were more optimistic about the general business situation than three months previously. A third of them also expected to increase the number of staff working for them which is very positive news indeed.”

Sir Reg congratulated e-skills UK on the launch of these initiatives and said: “Through all these activities we continue to work closely with this important industry to get the message across that ICT as a profession is here to stay and can offer a wealth of opportunities.”

Notes to editors:

1. The NI ICT Snapshot is published by e-skills UK, the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology.

2. The production of the snapshot was commissioned as part of the implementation of the ICT Action Plan, a collaborative programme of activity involving Momentum (the Northern Ireland ICT Trade Federation), e-skills UK (the Sector Skills Council for Business and Information Technology), Invest Northern Ireland and the Department for Employment and Learning.

3. The snapshot can be downloaded at http://www.e-skills.com/ni/snapshot. For further information about the progression routes tool and teacher events please visit http://www.bringitonni.info

4. All media enquiries should be directed to the Department for Employment and Learning Communications Branch on 028 9025 7872. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.

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