The University of Limerick (UL), has been funded for an additional 100 free fee places under the HEA’s ICT Skills Programme 2013.  The new places are available on two full-time diploma programmes; Higher Diploma in Mobile and Secure Cloud Computing and Higher Diploma in Software Development and are available to eligible jobseekers.  These programmes have been developed in collaboration with industry partners, which will provide graduates from other skills areas with the opportunity to up-skill or re-skill in core computing/programming, software and data analysis.

Dr Ann Ledwith, Assistant Dean of Adult and Continuing Education, UL said: “It is anticipated that Ireland will experience large growth in the areas of mobile, broadband, next generation networks, text and digital TV, and on-line gaming over the next 10 years. However, while there is an increasing supply of computing graduates coming through the third-level system in Ireland, there are also indications that opportunities are growing faster than supply. These programmes have been developed in direct response to specific skills shortages for people with high-level ICT and software development skills.”

A key feature of both programmes is a job placement that in some cases can lead to full time employment. To date the students undertaking these programmes of study have had a very high success rate in securing job placement opportunities.  These placements have been with start-up and leading companies include: EMC, SAP, PMI Software among others.   

Given the availability of talented graduates from non-computing disciplines, there is a need for supporting graduate conversion courses to re-equip them for opportunities in these rapidly growing areas in particular.

Dr Ledwith added; “These programmes have been developed with extensive industry consultation and input to ensure we are delivering graduates who are fully equipped to support Ireland’s growth industries. Great emphasis is also placed on providing students with career advice and supports such as interview preparations and guides to ensure they are fully ready to re-engage with the workforce.”

For further enquiries call Paola on 061-234379 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  For further information go to: http://www.ictskills.ie