About Bring IT On NI

What is Bring IT On?

Bring IT On is a programme designed to encourage and educate young people about the career pathways into the IT industry. It is funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered by Belfast Metropolitan College. We provide talks and careers advice to Primary, Post Primary, Post University and Further Education students. We can also help students with information about the qualifications required to obtain a job in technology as well as outlining the benefits of working in the sector, to help young people gain the necessary insight required to progress in the IT sector.

Children career IT South West college, SWC,

Children career IT, North west regional college, NWRC, Derry, Londonderry, Limavady, Strabane,

Bring On the next generation of IT Talent

Colleges and universities across Northern Ireland are training the next generation of IT experts to help prepare them for a wide range of roles in one of the fastest growing industries in Northern Ireland.

The IT career pathway is varied and thriving, which is why institutions invite employers to work with them to help shed a light on bridging the IT skills gap with the help of the Bring IT On initiative.

Bring On the Ambassadors

The Bring IT On Ambassadors programme aims to match schools and IT businesses to allow staff and students to be unskilled in specific areas of need. IT business ambassadors will support schools to encourage and inspire the next generation on to join the sector.

Our Bring IT On ambassadors will offer a range of support. Proposed areas for the pilot ambassadors are:
• Mentor of ICT/digital media teacher
• Host a school visit
• Provision of work experience
• Visit school for career talk
• Visit school for technology talk
• Sponsorship school event.

We are now recruiting ambassador for Bring IT On, from both schools and employers; our vision is to have a Bring IT On Ambassador in every school in NI, to help mentor and guide ICT teachers to keep them up to date with trends and what is happening in the world digital and IT world. We would love employers to offer talks, work placements and maybe even visits to the amazing IT office space to allow young people to see first-hand what it is like to work in the IT sector. This is the next step for Bring IT On and we are excited for this new journey, we hope you can join us and inspire the next generation.

If you are an employer wanting to sign up to become an ambassador click here

If you are an school and looking to sign up to be part of the ambassador programme click here

Ronan Dale - PWC Degree Apprenticeship

I attended an open evening in Belfast Met themed around Cyber Security in March 2018. Once again, this event highlighted to me that many organisations appreciate local talent and also, that I was wise to have chosen to organise my Year 13 Work Placement with Derry-based Cyber Security firm MetaCompliance.

Michael Sage - Allsop - BCS Young It Professional of the Year Nominee 2019

It was only by attending a talk/information session held by Bring IT On that I realised that the idea of staying on to work after my placement semester sounded really appealing! That then led to me taking the placement offered by Allsop a few months later.

Bring On learner partnerships Employ future talent as they learn

Higher Level Apprenticeships

A Higher Level Apprenticeship is an apprenticeship with a targeted qualification between Level 4 (HNC equivalent) to Level 8 (PhD equivalent).

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A Higher Level Apprenticeship develops professional and technical skills, as well as gaining recognised higher qualifications while in paid employment.

Employers recruit a learner for two years while they gain their qualification and work four days a week in an industry relevant role and hone their training at college one day a week. On completion of the apprenticeship students may have the opportunity to stay on in their role or attain further training.

There are a wide range of Higher Level Apprenticeships available including Software Engineering, Computing Infrastructure, Computing, Cyber Security in September 2018.

Foundation Degrees

Foundation Degrees enable employers to access students at the end of their final year.

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Learners study full time at college for two years including a four month work placement in their final semester as part of earning their third level qualification.

Current Foundation Degrees available include – Computing Infrastructure, Interactive Media, Software development, Computing, Cyber Security in 2018.

Higher National Diplomas (HND):

Higher National Diploma (HND) courses are an ideal opportunity for IT companies to engage with learners.

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For two years learners will acquire the skills and disciplines in their chosen field and have the opportunity to network with employers at events and conferences.

Assured Skills Academies

Academies are developed under the Department for the Economy (DfE) Assured Skills programme and Invest Northern Ireland…

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In conjunction with the employer and higher education institutions to create a bespoke programme with the skills they need to support a growing business. Academies seek to assure potential investors, and existing employers considering expansion, by supporting companies to add value to their training and skills development activity.

Assured Skills Academies delivered include – Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Power BI, Software Development and Software Testing

The Bring IT On programme facilitates links with the further education and university sectors by designing key training solutions and supporting recruitment and other pre-employment activities.