The Irish Technology Leadership Group has announced a new internship program for budding digital media developers, gaming coders and digital animators.
The announcement was made at the Argyle Business Centre where a delegation of senior executives from Hollywood and Silicon Valley, were visiting Belfast on a recent trade mission.
The initiative, in partnership with Belfast City Council and Invest Northern Ireland will support successful candidates to secure an internship with a host company Silicon Valley or Hollywood for a minimum of six months.
The interns will gain practical training and valuable hands on experience as well as receiving mentorship from ITLG representatives in Silicon Valley, who will help guide them through the program.
The candidates will be handpicked to interview for the scheme by representatives from Belfast City Council, Invest Northern Ireland and University partners who work with young people in the community. Once selected, each candidate will meet with a panel of ITLG members who will select two interns to embark upon the programme in early 2012.
ITLG President and founder, John Hartnett said: “There is a very strong creative technology sector in Belfast and a clear sense of entrepreneurial spirit. Young talent is the strongest pillar of any future economy and we want to give these exceptional youngsters the opportunity to seek experience and guidance from some of the most successful business leaders based in Silicon Valley and Hollywood.”
Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, added: “This announcement reflects the dynamism and talent that exists in our indigenous creative industries sector in the city which is thriving. We, at the council, have supported the sector with a number of programmes and initiatives this year such as the Digital Media Connections Programme and the Creative Entrepreneurs Club which brings creative industries together for regular networking meetings to develop products and learn from leading industry experts.”
Also as a part of their visit to Belfast the delegation hosted a series of private investor meetings at University of Ulster with a number of Innovative start-up companies.
Established in October 2007, the ITLG is an independent organisation comprised of high-level technology leaders in Silicon Valley who are Irish or Irish-American. The group includes senior executives from some of the Valley’s leading corporations, each of whom are committed to promoting the technology connection between Ireland and Silicon Valley .