Unemployed graduates needed for free computing training

Unemployed computer science graduates can now avail of a free fourteen week high-level cloud computing and virtualisation training programme to equip them for fast-track entry to a job as a technical support engineer.

Mobile software developer Citrix has partnered with ICT Ireland Skillnet to offer a place for 15 graduates on the training programme. In addition, Citrix which employs 150 people at its East Point Business Park, plans to offer up to half of the participants a job and will "endeavour to secure employment for the remainder within its broader base of partners".

The course is free to participants who may also retain their full social welfare benefits whilst attending the programme.

The training programme is aimed at unemployed computer science graduates or those from a similar discipline with a bachelor’s degree and is scheduled to begin on September 1st 2014. Its aim is to provide recent graduates with the necessary knowledge and experience to thrive in the workplace, via an intensive training course that will provide them with industry certification across emerging technologies such as virtualisation and cloud computing. As part of the programme Citrix will also provide a three week work placement at its EMEA Technical Support headquarters in Dublin.

Last year, 12 participants secured full time employment following the programme.

Interested graduates are asked to submit their CV detailing qualifications and experience to date to susan.kelly@ictirelandskillnet.org. Selected applicants may be asked to complete an online application form and may be invited for an assessment and interview process.