AN awards ceremony has taken place for graduates from the Software Professional Course.
The course trained 35 graduates with the skills and accredited qualifications identified by ICT sector employers for new job opportunities. The programme involved 26 weeks training for the trainees at Belfast Metropolitan College (Belfast Met) and South Eastern Regional College (SERC) to achieve the BTEC Level 5 Diploma in Professional Software Development.
At the ceremony in the Long Gallery at Parliament Buildings, the Employment minister, Stephen Farry said: “The ICT sector is the driving force of a global economy. It is imperative we provide the appropriately highly skilled ICT workforce to support this vibrant sector, ensuring its global competitiveness and long term prosperity. “The Software Professional Course is an excellent example of how my Department supports graduates to enhance their skills in order to find employment in key growth areas.
“Projects such as this are key to ensuring that graduates can improve their skills and employability which in turn benefits our local economy. I commend all the graduating students and wish them every success.”
The ceremony was attended by the graduates, their guests and representatives of the Further Education Colleges involved in delivering the training.
Jonathan Heggarty, Belfast Met, said: “Belfast Metropolitan College is delighted to have been involved in this innovative collaboration. Providing students with industry validated courses ensures that our graduates have the right skills for the range of exciting roles available within the dynamic and ever growing IT sector.”
Ken Webb, principal and chief executive of SERC, said: “I would like to congratulate all the students who have successfully completed the Software Professional Course and wish them every success in their careers within the computing industry. This highly effective and intensive course, designed with industry, is providing opportunities for non-computing graduates while supplying employers with motivated and skilled employees. I would also congratulate the SERC staff for their professional delivery of the programme.”