computing
courses & careers
www.bring
IT
on
NI
.info
We need hundreds of dedicated,
highly motivated individuals
with excellent interpersonal
skills to become part of this
dynamic and exciting industry
IT & Telecoms is at the heart of every sector in Northern
Ireland. Northern Ireland is recognised as a world
leader in Software Development.
28,000 people in Northern Ireland are currently
employed in the IT & Telecoms Industry.
By the year 2020, the demand for software
professionals is forecast to grow by 42%.
There is a need for 2,300 new entrants a year
into IT & Telecoms professional job roles in
Northern Ireland.
Growth within IT & Telecoms is currently 8 times faster
than the average throughout Northern Ireland.
Starting salaries for an IT professional range
from £22,000 to £28,000 per year.
The technical skills most in demand in job
adverts are SQL, .NET, Java, C#, C++, CAD, SQL
WHO WORKS FOR NORTHGATE MANAGED SERVICES?...
Qualifications:
- IT NVQ level 2 & 3,
- ITIL v3 foundations – continuing to study toward ITIL Expert.
What have you learnt?:
- Extensive technical skills & knowledge
– It is important to keep up to date with changes in technology - Patience and diplomacy succeeds
Skills:
- Applying & maintaining technology - Communication
- Customer Service - Information handling - People management Career Path:
when growing up wanted to be a vet IT TRAINEE
Installation engineer Telephone and Remote Support Support Team Manager IT Service Desk Improvement Manager
Service Desk Improvement Manager
Technical specialist responsible for improving the service desk for customers within the education sector.
The Problem Solver
SPARE TIME:
- FAMILY
– FISHING
“I joined the IT industry when I left school at the age of 16, with hard work and determination I now run Northgate Managed Services, one of Northern Ireland’s leading IT Services Companies. I think it is important to encourage young people to consider ICT as a career. These days most young people have a natural ability when it comes to technology, as it is part of their day to day life, so they can easily adapt to the industry. I am a firm believer that personality is just as important as skills and qualifications. Many are under the illusion that a university degree is the only route available and we want to stress that this is not the case, we offer IT apprenticeships in addition to our existing graduate schemes.”
Andy’s TOP TIPS
• Research – there could be a role to suit you
• CHOOSE A CAREER YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL ENJOY
• Try to gain some work experience • The industry changes, show a willingness to learn • Have a positive attitude • It is more about application rather than qualification
• Be a team player • Be Reliable, Flexible & Punctual • Loyalty is valued Andy Ross, Chief Executive,
Northgate Managed Services
What does it take
to
make
it
in
ICT
?
www.northgatemanagedservices.com
Career Path:
originally wanted to be A Pilot INDUSTRIAL ICT PLACEMENT Graduate trainee Technical Specialist
Technical Consultant Pre Sales Consultant Sales Account Manager
Skills:
- LISTENING & UNDERSTANDING A CUSTOMER’S NEED - MOTIVATION & INITIATIVE - Key product & services knowledge
Qualifications:
- DEGREE IN Computers & Information Systems - Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer - Citrix Certified Enterprise Administrator
SPARE TIME: - Rally driving - family & friends What have you learnt?: - I NEVER STOP LEARNING - how my clients businesses operate commercially & some of the challenges they face WHICH ENABLES ME TO OFFER SOLUTIONS THAT deliver real benefits & cost savings to THEM.
Sales Account Manager
Responsible for building, developing and actively maintaining a long-term relationship with current and potential customers.
The SALES MAN
What have you learnt?:
- My customer service skills have improved
- My IT Knowledge and skills have developed especially in incident
and problem management solutions - My confidence in speaking to customers has improved through customer service training
Career Path:
when growing up wanted to be FOOTBALLER Builder
JOINED Northgate Apprentice SCHEME TECHNICAL SPECIALIST
Technical SPECIALIST
Responsible for handling, troubleshooting and resolving faults and service requests for customers.
SPARE TIME:
- Spending
time with family - Playing football - Golf
The TECCIE
Qualifications: - Microsoft Certified TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST - Microsoft Certified it ProfessionaL - Comptia Network CertifiedNVQ Level 2 IT
Skills:
- Communication - Customer Service - Information handling
Northern Ireland’s six Regional Colleges offer a huge range of courses and qualifications to suit everyone. These include professional, technical and vocational courses at all levels, including degree level programmes and vocationally focused two year Foundation Degree and Higher National Diploma programmes. This option has become increasingly popular – 20% of all people from Northern Ireland taking a Higher Education programme (a degree) now choose to study at one of our six local Colleges.
There are also Apprenticeships – where you get paid while you learn on the job in a wide range of areas, from engineering to software development, and financial services through to health and social care. In addition, more and more people are open to the option of studying part-time as a way to continue to earn while they build up their future career prospects through further education.
The Regional Colleges work closely with over 7,500 businesses and companies right across Northern Ireland – not just some of Northern Ireland’s biggest companies, but also global brands and household names. Our Colleges continue to offer quality options that can lead directly to employment or further education. It has never been more important to get the skills and qualifications that employers want – why not visit your local Regional College and find out what they have to offer.
The University of Ulster is a university with a national and international reputation for excellence, innovation and regional engagement. We make a major contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Northern Ireland and play a key role in attracting inward investment. Our core business activities are teaching and learning, widening access to education, research and innovation and technology and knowledge transfer. For further information about the student experience at Ulster please visit www.ulster.ac.uk/study
Faculty of Computing and Engineering
- Computing coursesUndergraduate Full time
BSc Hons Computational Finance BEng Computer Games Development BSc Computer Science
BSc Computer Science (Software Systems Development) BSc Hons Computing
BSc Hons Computing (Game Development) BSc Hons Computing (Internet Systems) BSc Hons Computing Science
BSc Computing Combinations – Major in computing • Computing with Accounting
• Computing with Business • Computing with Education • Computing with Psychology BSc Hons Creative Computing
BEng Hons Electronics and Computer Systems
BSc Hons Information and Communication Technologies BSc Hons Interactive Multimedia Design
BEng Hons Software Engineering
Undergraduate Part time
BEng Hons Computer Games Development BSc Computer Science
BSc Computer Science (Software Systems Development) BSc Hons Computing and Information Systems BSc Hons Computing Systems
BSc Hons Creative Computing
BEng Hons Electronics and Computer Systems
Computing qualifications include:
• BSc (Hons) Computing and IT• Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT • BSc (Hons) Computing & IT with a second subject • Foundation Degree in Computing and IT Practice • Diploma of Higher Education in Computing and IT Practice The Open University provides courses in a wide range of subject areas. A full list can be found online at www.open.ac.uk Contact us at
The Open University, 110 Victoria Street, Belfast, BT1 3GN
Call on 028 9024 5025or email [email protected]
For a list of information events in Northern Ireland please visit:
www.opennearyou.co.uk
The Open University (OU) is the leading provider of flexible learning on the island of Ireland. It currently offers more than 500 modules to 7,000 students across Ireland.
The OU is a world leader in developing technology to increase access to education on a global scale. Its vast ‘open content portfolio’ includes free study units on OpenLearn, which has had more than 20 million visitors.
In April, the OU became the first university in Europe to reach more than one million subscriptions through its 52 courses on the new iTunes U App since its launch in January 2012. The OU’s extensive material on iTunes U has had more than 54 million international downloads, with more than 40,000 new downloads each day. The OU’s innovative use of technology enables people to study where, when and how they want. Students can switch between books, DVDs, the web, audio CD, peer groups and associate lecturers. As students can study at their own pace, 71% work while they study meaning they ‘earn while they learn’.
As there are no formal entry requirements for most Open University degrees, the OU provides a viable option for pupils in Northern Ireland. The OU has a range of financial options for young students. For example, if you live with your parents, or are earning less than £16,500, you may have nothing to pay.
Louise McCullough,
an OU student from Belfast, says:
“I found out about the OU online, but I thought it was only for mature students. I
was wrong! I would recommend studying with the OU to any school leaver. It gives you the opportunity for a full time job alongside study, and all of the support, guidance and flexibility is unrivalled in my opinion.”
Queen’s University Belfast is one of the most exceptional universities in the UK. It is a member of the Russell Group, a select band of the top research intensive academic institutions.
We have invested over £250m in facilities in the past 5 years, more than any other UK university, including the magnificent £50m McClay Library.
The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science has been the launch-pad for many an exceptional career.
Our graduates are in high demand by software companies, the automotive and aeronautical industries, financial services and computer games developers to name but a few. On average, employment success rates for graduates from our School are greater than 80% after just six months, a statistic not bettered by many others.
We offer excellent scholarship and placement
opportunities and have courses in:
• Software Engineering • Computer Science
• Computing and Information Technology • Computer Games Development • Business Information Technology For further information visit
www.qub.ac.uk/eeecs
or join us on Facebook
http://facebook.com/QUBseeecs
“Most assessed projects are all group based; which is fine as it’s a good way to get to know other people on your course and good fun. Also much of the most effective learning comes from softer skills only gained in team work.”
David Galbraith,
