The IT employers came together to focus on introducing soft/business skills to the College’s young people studying IT.

The Academy aims to counteract the frustration that all of us have felt when IT processes and procedures seem to come before business needs.

Companies supporting this initiative include Pendragon Recruitment, Intel, Capita Life and Pensions, Endsleigh Insurance and the University of the West of England.

The Academy’s activities support its key objectives – these are a selection:

Providing business skills to young people entering the IT industry – students in the IT Academy programme have participated in skills workshops: giving presentations, writing CVs and finding out how to get the best out of their mentors. Through their ‘communications’ modules, they learn the art of good communication and its equal importance to technical skills in many IT roles.

Adding business skills to existing employees in the IT sector – IT employers have participated in the ‘Finance for non-financial Manager’s’ training courses, provided by the Business department at the College - (go to the ‘For Business’ tab on the left hand menu on this page).

To raise the awareness of career opportunities within the industry – John Orton, Membership Director for the British Computer Society came to talk to the students about the many different job roles available in the IT industry and how to find out more about them. Students have also been linked to a skilled IT mentor to give them an insight into the opportunities open to them.

To raise the awareness of the Academy with local employers – an IT activities week is planned for February 2008, with visits, talks and workshops planned for the students. Advertising is planned to raise the profile of the Academy to the local community.

To be aware of industry developments and issues – Kevin Dean, a Director of the multi-national IT company, Cisco Systems, will visit the College for the third year in a row in February, to provide an insight to students and lecturers into the latest developments and trends in the industry. For more information about the IT Academy programme for 16-19 students, click here