ICS: news and events July/August 2018

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The award for Professional Development is presented to Barry Feeney, IT Tallaght, and Tony Devlin, ICT Skillnet, by Paul Hearns, TechPro

13 July 2018

MSc in Applied IT Architecture wins Tech Excellence Award

The MSc in Applied IT Architecture, developed by the Technology Ireland Skillnet, IT Tallaght and Iasa Ireland, won the Professional Development award at the 2018 Tech Excellence Awards.

The award recognises organisations who have provided the framework and supports to allow people to not only reach their personal goals, but set new standards for professional development. It was collected by Barry Feeney, head of Computing, IT Tallaght, and Tony Devlin, steering group member, Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet.

Our congratulations also go to ICS and Iasa Ireland member, Tim Willoughby, head of digital services and innovation at An Garda Síochána, Tim was recognised with the person of the year award.

You can find out more about the course at www.ics.ie/training#IT_Architecture

Jim Friars, left, CEO, ECDL Ireland/ICS, Tony Franke, chairman, ECDL Foundation, Mary Cleary, deputy CEO, ICS Foundation, and Claudia Delaney, head of Training, ICS

Digital Skills for Citizens project wins first place in the ECDL in Society category

At the recent ECDL Foundation Forum 2018, held in Prague, the ECDL Ireland entry was voted as an outstanding example of best practice in digital literacy outreach.

The ECDL Best Practice Awards acknowledge initiatives and projects considered to be exceptional examples of programmes which help to increase levels of digital literacy.

ECDL Ireland’s Digital Skills for Citizens project successfully delivered training in basic computer skills to over 2,000 non-liners throughout 2017 and is still taking applications.

The project, funded by the Dept. of Communications, provides the skills required to use functions on a computer that provide immediate and tangible benefits: social networking, internet and email use, online shopping, and so on.

If you know a ‘non-liner’ who needs a bit of help you can find out more here: www.gov.ie/en/digital-skills-for-citizens-scheme

Another Tech Week success as students and industry engage for fun and education.

Students embrace the future as Minister praises Tech Week

Tech Week, Ireland’s national festival of technology aimed at teachers, students and parents, saw over 120,000 students take part in a range of fun activities including the finals of several national events.

The event is organised by the ICS Foundation, the social enterprise arm of the Irish Computer Society, and supported by Science Foundation Ireland, ECDL Ireland and Amazon Web Services, Tech Week 2018.

Among the week’s keynote events were the national Scratch coding final in Limerick and the National Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge in Maynooth.

Schools all over Ireland competed strongly to make it to the national finals. In addition to these fantastic events, academic institutions and businesses hosted events nationwide. Hundreds of schools across every county took part in the fun tech-related activities.

The tech sector currently employs over 100,000 people however by 2020 there will be an estimated 73,000 technology-related jobs to fill in Ireland alone and 800,000 in the EU.

Minister for Education and Skills and Fellow of the Irish Computer Society, Richard Bruton said, “Tech Week is about experience. It’s about giving young students a chance to experience technology and interact with it in a fun and positive way.

“We want to ensure that Ireland is well placed to take advantage of the digital revolution which is taking place and having a transformative effect on our economy, workplace and lifestyle.

“We have a range of policies and strategies in place, including the STEM Education Policy Statement, the Digital Strategy for Schools and the ICT Skills Action Plan, all aimed at ensuring we are able to meet the skills needs of the new economy. We want young students and their parents to be aware of the opportunities a career in technology can provide.”

Jim Friars, CEO of the Irish Computer Society said, “The success of the IT sector in Ireland depends on the availability of talent and skills. To ensure we have the talent to meet our ambitions in the sector, we must encourage young students to become active participants in the digital age.

“They must learn to create, innovate and drive the change that will shape the future of the technological landscape. Tech Week provides us with an opportunity to spark an interest in technology and help to prepare our young students with 21st century skills.”

Dr Ciaran Seoighe, Deputy Director, Science Foundation Ireland stated, “Technology is impacting on everyone and everything. It’s changing the way we work, live and relate to each other. Tech Week is a fantastic initiative which allows young people to see and understand the importance of technology and the wider STEM agenda through fun, interesting, challenging activities during the week-long festival.”

Upcoming courses

CDPP Certified Data Protection Practitioner – 3-day (Dublin) – 16 July or 13 August – €198 off for members
IT Asset Management Foundation Certification (ITAMF) – 18 July or 13 September- 10% off for members
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European Certified Data Protection Officer Training – Dublin, 26 July or Cork, 28 August – €330 off for members
Certificate in Business Analysis (QQI level 8) – Dublin, 13 September or Cork, 20 September – Funding available
Iasa Architect Core Course and CITA-F Certification Exam – Dublin, 8 October – 10% off for members
MSc in Applied IT Architecture – Enrolling now for January 2019 – Funding available