Call For Firms To Join Apprenticeship Scheme

Local businesses are being encouraged to join a scheme running high level apprenticeships in IT skills.

Expanding its operation across Northern Ireland in a bid to support the workforce of the future, Career Encode has issued a rallying call for businesses to get involved.

Originally created by nine firms, the initiative set out to fill a skills gap in the IT sector, allowing school leavers and those wishing to change careers to embark on a career in IT without the financial pressure of paying college fees.

Successful applicants will obtain an internationally recognised Foundation Degree qualification accredited by Ulster University and receive a full salary.

The nationwide rollout of the scheme was showcased at an event at Catalyst Ecos Innovation Centre in Ballymena on Tuesday 22 October, where firms already taking part set out the benefits of the initiative since it was launched as a pilot in 2018. They called on their peers to join the programme.

Michael Morrow represents CDE Global, Cookstown which is one of those companies. He explained: "As a growing company with global ambition, CDE relies on data for our complex manufacturing operations. Career Encode is helping us to develop the skills we need in our IT department to power this growth."

Jolene Carey, Human Resources Officer at Randox in Crumlin has also taken on apprentices as part of the initiative. She said: "IT underpins the delivery and support of all our mission-critical services. Our IT team is constantly exposed to the latest innovations and the Career Encode programme is an important part of our development plan for new talent."

Working in collaboration with the Northern Regional College, the scheme has already appointed 12 new IT apprentices who will build careers within a rapidly growing sector which, according to the Skills Barometer Report 2019 compiled by Ulster University Economic Policy Centre, will grow by 50% over the next decade.

With this in mind Career Encode is seeking more Northern Ireland businesses to sign up to the scheme to ensure the IT talent resource here is not outpaced by demand.

Camilla Long, Director of Bespoke Communications, which specialises in training and leadership development, is acting as an independent facilitator for the existing 11 employers on the scheme.

She said: "One of the biggest hurdles for businesses today is sourcing staff, particularly IT staff. This scheme allows participating companies to take the IT skills gap into their own hands by developing a future workforce for their business.

"We had a phenomenal response to the first initiative with 89 young people of exceptionally high standards vying for 12 apprenticeships. We anticipate that the demand for next year's intake will be so much higher.

"The benefits for participating companies are about much more than alleviating technology staffing needs. Being part of Career Encode sends out a message to the next generation that you provide a workplace with a positive working culture that nurtures long-term career goals all while allowing you to develop employees with the skillset that you need for your future."



(JG/CM)