THE first batch of graduates emerged yesterday from the Deloitte People and Programmes Consulting Academy, set up to skill-up trainees in areas such as data analytics, software testing and cloud technologies.
Sixteen graduates have come through the Academy model, which is part of the Department for Employment and Learning's Assured Skills programme which provides tailored training to help employers find staff with the skills they need or support to develop the necessary expertise within their existing team.
Presenting certificates of completion to the graduates at Belfast Metropolitan's e3 campus, Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry said: "Companies such as Deloitte are the key drivers of economic growth in Northern Ireland.
"These academies are excellent examples of government interventions to enhance the skills of unemployed graduates while providing the skills that employers need to grow our economy.
"The Academy model has been very successful and has been offered in a number of areas, and it is also being further developed to meet employer demands in other sectors."
Jackie Henry, senior partner at Deloitte, said: "It's with great pleasure and pride that we welcome the first 16 graduates from the People and Programmes Consulting Academy.
"What a wonderful position for them to be in with so many new skills to learn and opportunities to glean. The future of the Northern Ireland economy is vested in these young people and Deloitte is delighted to play its part alongside Belfast Met and DEL."
Jonathan Heggarty at Belfast Met added: "The success of the Academy is testament to the close collaboration of Belfast Met, Deloitte and the DEL Assured Skills Programme and highlights how we as a college are working with businesses and the government to change peoples' futures and are leading the city to work."