Ireland’s Females in Technology (I-FITs)
Ireland’s Females in Technology (I-FITs)
Ireland’s Females in Technology (I-FIT): An exclusive Tech Apprenticeship Programme for Irish females residing in communities at the heart of Dublin’s ‘Silicon Dock’.
A two-year programme aimed at equipping local women with the tech know-how to carve out a successful career in a thriving industry. Offering participants the opportunity to earn while they learn, modern apprenticeships foster economic independence, progression and clear pathways to quality employment.
The first fully-fledged female class is a pioneering approach to boosting participation and showcasing untapped talent. The programme not only aims to engage female tech enthusiasts, but also to measure the social capital generated from educating, empowering and employing women at the heart of the community.
As part of a e1m investment in the Dublin Impact Challenge, Google invited non-profits, social enterprises and educators to submit bold ideas to grow social and economic opportunities in their communities.
I-FITs was amongst the final 15 projects amongst 250 applicants in this year’s Google Impact Challenge and secured grant funding of Ä50,000 to help build opportunity in Dublin.
With the first intake due to commence Nov 2019 in CDETB’s Liberties College, FIT is calling out for both applicants and companies who are interesting in either joining or accessing this talent pool. Please contact Aoife Sheehy, Project Lead for further information on aoifesheehy@fit.ie.
Advisory Council Members: National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI); JP Morgan; Salesforce; City of Dublin Education & Training Board (CDETB); Dress for Success; Department of Social Protection (DSP); Peter McVerry Trust; Technology Ireland; Irish Computer Society (ICS) & Fastrack into IT (FIT).
Cyber Security added to the suite of tech apprenticeships
ICT Associate Professional is the new National Apprenticeship Programme for all tech enthusiasts wishing to pursue a career in Ireland’s buoyant technology sector.
Over 12,000 jobs are currently available in tech – as highlighted by the recent FIT ICT Skills Audit. 75% of these roles can be facilitated through tech apprenticeship programmes, providing immediate employment opportunities for job seekers and students.
Who is the programme for?
Age: 18+ at time of application. All ages welcome thereafter.
Qualifications: Leaving Certificate (5 passes at Ordinary Level including Maths and English)†. Candidates with other qualifications should refer to the FIT website for details of recognition of prior learning. All candidates must also meet Aptitudes Assessments administered by FIT.
Attitude: Motivated tech enthusiasts with an aptitude and attitude to work in the ICT sector.
Off-the-job training costs are entirely government funded. FIT manages all aspects of the programme and co-ordinates employer input.
Participating companies employ the apprentice throughout their apprenticeship and facilitate the on-the-job application of learning. Apprentices hone their skills while contributing to product development, technological advancement and talent building.
Apprentices employed under contract receive payment to the value of Ä260 – Ä290 weekly in the first year and Ä340 – Ä385 weekly in year two. (Figures presented are a guideline)
On successful completion of the programme, qualified apprentices have the potential to progress into full-time positions with their employers.
What is the ICT Associate Professional Apprenticeship programme?
This new apprenticeship programme adopts a learning-by-doing format of ICT skills development, giving new meaning to the concept of ‘hire education’. Over a two year period the programme combines off-the-job skills training with on-the-job application, and culminates in the attainment of the ICT Associate Apprenticeship Award as part of the national apprenticeship programme.
Participating companies are keen to recruit smart people with smart skills and this new programme will enable participants to ‘earn while they learn’.
FIT are Ireland’s appointed coordinating providers of the new National Tech Apprenticeships at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. These Apprenticeships aim to attract and grow the talent pipeline by providing training in Software Development, Network Engineering and Cybersecurity.
What are the key benefits to your company?
• Widen your access to highly motivated tech enthusiasts with bespoke skills
• Grow tech-savvy teams efficiently
• Bring fresh thinking and energy to new technologies and product development
• Free up your more experienced staff to do what they do best
• Fast-track access to emerging tech skills
What are the key benefits to the FIT apprentice?
• Gain direct experience in a real-time technical environment ensuring increased productivity
• Acquire in-depth understanding of the latest technologies supporting innovation
• Develop business and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, customer-facing skills and project management
Tech sector needs women
Tech sector employers are keen to point out that they are seeking more female entrants.
Gender balance is seen as key to the future success of companies and they are reaching out to females who can expect to benefit from great work environments, career progression and support for continuous professional development.
Career opportunities in tech are both varied and rewarding, with strong demand for more women creators, team builders, business developers and leaders. So join in and create the future!
Partnership Approach
Peter Davitt, CEO of FIT, explained that the new tech apprenticeships were as a result of a strong partnership approach between government, the tech sector and the national education & training system.
He praised the role of the Department of Education, the Apprenticeship Council, SOLAS and QQI for providing the policy and implementation structures necessary to enable new apprenticeships to flourish.
In particular he acknowledged the key role of Education and Training Boards who are partnering with FIT throughout the country in the delivery of the training elements of the tech apprenticeships.
What career paths can I take?
The programme offers three distinct career paths:
Systems and Networks
Design, install, maintain and support communication network within an organisation or between organisations.
• Network Operating System
• Networking Technologies
• Internet Server Management
• I.T. Virtualisation
• Implementing an ICT Systems Security Policy
• Design and Plan for an Internal Network Cabling Infrastructure
• ICT Systems and Networks Management
Software Development
Write, test and modify code.
• Systems Analysis and Design
• Object Oriented Programming
• Event Driven Programming Solutions
• Procedural Programming
• Software Applications Testing
• Web Development and Website Software
• Software Design Fundamentals
Cybersecurity
Protect systems from Cybersecurity risks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
• Comp TIA IT Fundamentals
• Comp TIA Network+
• Comp TIA Security+
• Comp TIA Cybersecurity Analyst
• Comp TIA Penetration Tester
• GDPR
