A programme that helps young people get into work in information technology companies is looking for recruits from next month.

The ’Career Ready’ programme offers practical learning to help young people develop the skills they need for a career in IT and is linked to their academic studies or interests.

It has been running since 2014 and involves students from the island’s five state secondary schools and University College Isle of Man working together to deliver an IT-themed programme.

Classroom learning is combined with direct contact with the workplace and employers.

The programme consists of four pillars - masterclasses, mentoring, workplace visits and internships.

It provides the opportunity for schools, colleges and employers to work together in highly productive ways to develop future talent pipelines, to ensure the curriculum is meeting local employer skill needs and to help transform young people’s career pathways.

internship

The Career Ready students are all allocated a four- to six-week paid internship over the summer at Hansard Global, Thomas Patrick Creative Agency Ltd PDMS, Lloyds Bank International, IT works, GTS, Wi-Manx, Futuretech, Netcetera or the Isle of Man Post Office.

Jay Waters, a student from Queen Elizabeth High School in Peel. undertook his internship at WiManx in August 2016.

Since Jay completed his A-levels in economics and IT in June 2017 at Queen Elizabeth II High School, he was interviewed by Wi-Manx for a technical support job.

He started a full time post at Wi-Manx in July.

Jay answered questions about the programme.

How did the Career Ready programme help you?

It gave me a foot in the door. I already knew the team I would be working with and the job was similar to the one I did during my internship. I already knew the culture at Wi-Manx and the systems that they use which made my first day at work easy. I knew all the employees and it was an easy transition from school to full time work.’

Which part of the programme was most beneficial?

The Career Ready programme consists of four sections - masterclasses, mentoring, workplace visits and internships.

A masterclass was delivered by Kim Patterson (The Catalyst Paternship) on interview skills and preparing my CV.She gave me tips on what I can bring to the organisation and to be specific about how I can add to the organisation.

Without the internship, I would have found it trickier to find a job after school.

The programme starts with a visit to London and this was really inspiring and motivating.

Action Jackson presented a fantastic motivational speech on the importance of networking and communicating.

We also got to have a look around Accenture, London which opened my eyes to the opportunities available to me within the IT sector.

I had a great mentor, Kirree Callow, who guided me through the programme and gave me valuable insight into the world of work.

Can you explain what you do at Wi-Manx?

I have been employed as a first line technical support worker. I get to deal with Wi-Manx customers on the phone and email. I try and deal with any customer queries as quick as possible. I work in a great team and I am mentored by the same colleague from my internship which is great. All the employees at Wi-Manx have been really supportive and I am going to mentor the Career Ready internee this summer (2017) at Wi Manx.

Richard Sum of Wi-Manx said: ’It is great to work with the students, you get to see them really come on, they bring fresh ideas and also we get first pick of the talented and young job pool!’

The Career Ready initiative has been backed by the government, Manx Information Commuication Techology Association and is also supported by employers on the Isle of Man.

These include: PDMS, Noc396, Hansard Global, GTS, AFD Software, IT Works, Wi-Manx, Future Tech Ltd, Netcetera, Isle of Man Post Office, Annexico, Galileo Fun Services Ltd, the government, Lloyds Nanking Group and Thomas Patrick Creative Agency.

Programme recruitment will start in September 2017.

The criteria:

Post 16 years old and in full time education

The focus is on STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths_ students - BTEC Level 3 engineering, BTEC Level 3 ICT or A-level computer science, information computer technology, or maths

It is open to students at all schools and University College Isle of Man.

For more information go to www.careerready.org.uk or contact the Isle of Man co-ordinator Jo Davies on [email protected] or 497355.