Applications for Microsoft's third Assured Skills Academy in data and artificial intelligence (AI) have launched, with participants guaranteed a job interview for a role at Microsoft in Belfast if they successfully complete the course.
Applications are open to people with a 2:2 degree in any discipline or a level 5 qualification in an IT-related subject.
The Academy will see the 20 chosen applicants receive industry-relevant pre-employment training with Belfast Met from 16 August to 5 November.
This is the third Assured Skills Academy with Microsoft after it established a Cyber Security Centre in Belfast in January 2020.
Economy Minister Diane Dodds said that it "is an excellent opportunity for people to reskill for a role at a global software company" and she urged "anyone who is interested and eligible to apply."
Gerry McIvor, Technical Delivery Manager at Microsoft added: "We want to ensure that people – irrespective of their age or experience – have the right skills to participate fully in our digital world. With the recent acceleration in digital transformation and the growing number of organisations moving to the cloud, demand for cloud computing skills is on the rise."
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“That’s why we’re delighted to partner with the Department for the Economy and Belfast Met on this Assured Skills Academy," he continued.
"Through the Academy we want to help address the digital skills gap in emerging areas of the economy in Northern Ireland by providing expert training in data and AI. By working together on this upskilling initiative, we can help ensure that Northern Ireland is best positioned to fill the in-demand jobs of today and tomorrow.”
The Academy will provide training towards industry-recognised accreditation in areas including Azure Fundamentals, Azure Data Fundamentals and designing and implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions.
Participants will also receive a training allowance of £155 per week.
Applications are open now and close at midnight on Sunday 9 May 2021.
For more information and to apply, visit http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/assured-skills
