SARAH Gillespie was working as a pharmacist without any ICT experience when she decided to apply for an apprenticeship working with leading ICT company Fujitsu.
And since successfully completing the apprenticeship programme, which was delivered by Belfast Met, her career has gone from strength to strength.
She continues to work for Fujitsu and is responsible for managing and delivering software enhancements for customer systems.
Sarah said: “My apprenticeship with Fujitsu through Belfast Met has opened up a world of possibilities for me. After completing the two year level 3 apprenticeship programme, I have been able to progress my learning through a Higher Level Apprenticeship with North West Regional College where I will gain a foundation degree in software engineering.
“At Fujitsu you are very much considered one of the team, trusted to support customers and problem solve together with colleagues. By combining work place experience and classroom learning, you have the opportunity to apply your knowledge to real world scenarios.”
Louise Hull, NI Fujitsu apprentice programme manager added: “We work collaboratively with Belfast Met to deliver an apprenticeship programme which equips students with the latest knowledge and key insights on ICT trends and advancements.
"This, coupled with the hands-on, practical experience gained through working in Fujitsu, ensures that our apprentices are ready for a career in the fast-paced world of ICT.
“While nurturing and supporting the next generation of ICT leaders is important to Fujitsu, the apprenticeship programme is a two-way learning process.
"They benefit from industry leading expertise, and we benefit from their fresh perspective.”
:: To find out about the range of apprenticeship opportunities available or how an apprentice could help your business visit nidirect.gov.uk/apprenticeships
