Pupils from Cross and Passion College, Ballycastle and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Ballymoney heard first-hand about the career opportunities in IT from representatives from PlotBox and the technology focused hub, Catalyst.
Ballymena based PlotBox provides a cloud-based bereavement services management solution for crematoria and cemeteries. Catalyst is an independent, not-for-profile organisation at the heart of Northern Ireland’s hi-tech economy. It focuses on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation and has campuses in Titanic Quarter in Belfast and at For George in Derry/Londonderry offering a range of accommodation for knowledge-based enterprises.
Encouraging the pupils to consider the wide range of opportunities within IT, both locally and further afield, PlotBox’s Heather Linden and Claire Melville, told the pupils about their respective roles within the company and their individual pathways to a career in IT.
Claire Melville, Support Team Lead at PlotBox, said events like Bring IT On were important as they gave an insight into the growing opportunities in the sector and the different routes that are available.
“The IT sector is vast so it is important that young people studying IT are aware of the diverse opportunities both at home and abroad. As the sector continues to expand, IT will become even more important,” she said.
Another workshop, led by Carla McErlean, Project Lead and Judith Camblin, Programme Manager from Catalyst, introduced the pupils to innovative design thinking and encouraged them to apply this to a range of activities, including a Dragons’ Den style pitch to sell a basic household item.
They also heard from current Level 3 IT students, Tiernan Da Cruz and Connor Forde who spoke about their positive experience of studying IT at the College’s Farm Lodge campus.
Northern Regional College offers a range of IT courses, from Level 2 right up to Foundation Degree programmes, as well as traineeships and Higher Level Apprenticeships.
Welcoming them to the College, Emma Butler explained the various options and the different pathways open to young people interested in an IT career.
“With so many amazing opportunities to complete accredited IT qualifications at the College, it is important to know about what is available so you get a course best suited to your needs and abilities and, please remember that we are always available to chat to you if you would like to learn more.”
The young people who attended the Bring IT On event unanimously agreed that they are now better informed about the potential career opportunities in IT, with 81% of them saying their perception of the sector is now more positive.