Students Inspired by Industry Experts at Tech Careers Event

Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership was delighted to host a recent, ‘Get Into Tech’ event on Thursday 27 March in partnership with Bring IT On to promote the various pathways to start a career in Technology.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships create targeted employment action plans for council areas, allowing for collaboration at local and regional level to support people towards and into work.

Attendees from local schools and Further Education colleges were given the opportunity to hear from a high-calibre panel of industry professionals, including Alan McEneaney from PayPal, Tina Calder of Excalibur Press, and Eammon Brankin of Digital IT. The session provided an insightful deep dive into pursuing technology as a viable and rewarding career path.

The speakers offered an overview of the diverse range of roles available in the tech sector, including software development, cyber security, and artificial intelligence. They also highlighted the various pathways into the industry, from academic routes to hands-on experience. A key takeaway was the importance of developing in-demand skills—many of which can be cultivated from an early age through interests and hobbies, such as gaming, coding, and digital creativity.

Local employers were also in attendance and actively engaged with participants about current and future career opportunities, with a particular focus on technology. These included representatives from PayPal, Collins Aerospace, First Derivatives and Re-Gen Waste. In addition, local colleges SERC and SRC were present, alongside the Careers Service, offering further guidance on educational and career pathways in the sector.

Addressing the event on behalf of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne, Councillor Alan Lewis, Chair of the Council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee, said, “Recognising that technology is the future and the future is now, Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership has provided this fantastic opportunity to help our residents to find out more about the endless possibilities in Technology and how they can be part of it. Attendees were presented with a clear pathway towards starting or developing a fulfilling career in technology, even if they have no prior experience or qualifications in the field.

“Information Technology is growing exponentially in Northern Ireland and beyond, offering opportunities in every sector, providing multiple career paths, the possibility of high salaries and rewarding and satisfying work. Almost every industry needs some form of technology to operate and therefore such jobs are not just restricted to IT specific businesses, there are varying job roles to suit various skillsets and interests.”

The Bring IT On programme seeks to address the skills shortage and employability issues within the IT sector in Northern Ireland. Talking about the importance of the event, Bring IT On representative, Diana Atchison said, “Bring It On was delighted to partner with Newry, Mourne and Down Labour Market Partnership to bring this event to the area for the third year. Our mission is to ensure that IT businesses have a pipeline of skilled talent fit for industry needs. Events like this are a great way to harness that talent.”