A new training initiative, funded through Belfast City Council’s PEACE IV Action Plan has been launched at Girdwood Community Hub in North Belfast. Tech Connects is aimed at 17 – 24-year-olds living in Belfast and aims to raise awareness of ICT career pathways and encourage more young people to choose the relevant subjects and skills required to work in the rapidly expanding ICT sector in Northern Ireland.

Delivered in partnership with Belfast Met, the Bytes Project and DigiSkills, participants will benefit from employability and careers advice and will also receive one-to-one support in personal and social development.

Damian Duffy, Director of Curriculum at Belfast Metropolitan College said: “We are delighted to be delivering the Tech Connects programme here at Girdwood.   There has been tremendous growth in the IT and Digital sectors in Northern Ireland over the last few years and Tech Connects provides a starting point for young people wanting to explore the potential of technology and the many different opportunities that it opens up for them.

“Equally we’re aiming to reach young people who maybe wouldn’t have considered this area because we know that digital skills will be increasingly in demand across all sectors of the economy and not just those industries traditionally seen as IT. “

Stephen Dallas Director of The Bytes Project, said: ”There’s a danger that some of our young people will miss out on fulfilling their potential by not developing their digital skills, particularly those young people from our most disadvantaged communities.  Programmes like Tech Connects will help to ensure that all of our young people can equip themselves with the tools to navigate this new world and flourish in it.”

Julie McGrath of DigiSkills, said: “We’re excited to be part of this new approach to engaging young people with technology.   Tech Connects will raise awareness and aspirations amongst young people and show them how tech is changing the future of life and work.”

Councillor John Kyle, Chair of the Shared City Partnership said “This is such an impressive programme, building both skills and confidence, it opens up a world of new opportunities for the young people involved “

For more information on and to apply to the Tech Connects programme, email: techconnects@belfastmet.ac.uk