IT Sligo and Citrix in joint skills initiative

A new scheme that aims to give students advanced technical skills for an IT career in virtualisation or networking has been launched by Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD. The Citrix Academy Network gives students of current computing programmes a skills led course to achieve industry certification across technologies such as virtualisation and cloud computing. IT Sligo is the first Higher Education Institution in Ireland to join the Academy Network, offering the course to third level students. 

The accreditation from the courses also includes potential opportunities to undertake work experience with Citrix channel partners which will allow students to put theory into practice.  

The first 25 students have recently started the course at the Sligo Institute and a further 55 students are expected to begin the accreditation process by the end of the year. It is expected that over 100 students will complete the modules this year. By September 2012, the course will also be available to those that wish to take the accreditation as a standalone course, without studying for a degree. 

"Technology is one of our most promising and critical sectors. We currently have widespread demand from IT employers for skilled workers in the areas of virtualisation and networking," said the minister. "I welcome this initiative by Citrix and IT Sligo in joining forces to create a direct education to jobs opportunity. I believe it is an excellent example of how industry and education can work together to create this direct opportunity for employment and that it is a great incentive for students to work towards."

"This comprehensive course will be highly valued by the ICT industry in Ireland and we are delighted to be investing in Ireland’s next generation of IT professionals," said John Kelly, senior director, Customer Technical Support and Education Services, EMEA at Citrix. "Ireland is an attractive location for technical services due to the talented and highly skilled workforce and it is critically important that we continue to meet the skills need of industry.

"There is an obligation on industry and third level institutions to proactively work together to reach out and achieve shared goals. By doing this, we can fill knowledge jobs, drive higher value, help automate processes and lower costs – all of which will help steer Ireland’s competitiveness and efficiency forward as a place to do business."

"Higher education has a duty to adapt and work with industry in the best interests of the student and at IT Sligo we have a strong reputation of delivering for the needs of our stakeholders, whether it’s through the delivery of bespoke online courses or by tailoring existing full time programmes, like we have done with the Citrix Academy," said Professor Terri Scott, president of IT Sligo. 

Tech Central Reporters

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