STEM

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

Let STEM drive your career choice A

s any sixth form parent or guardian knows, this is the time of year when young people have to complete their University and College application forms. Joanne Stuart, the STEM Champion for Northern Ireland, says it is also the ideal time to consider the benefits of opting for a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) course or career.

Now, when our young people are making their course choices for third level education, she wants to bring to parents’ and young people’s attention the fact that there are many opportunities for employment in the STEM industries in Northern Ireland.

Joanne points out that these opportunities are in a wide range of industries across Northern Ireland: agriculture, food, engineering, manufacturing, information and communication technology, renewable energies and recycling, health and life sciences and creative and digital media.

In this supplement we have asked STEM professionals what they like about their jobs and what their educational routes were to their posts. In addition, these profiles of STEM employees demonstrate that opportunities exist across

Northern Ireland with examples from businesses as diverse as the cluster of materials handling engineering companies in Tyrone and Armagh, food production and financial services in Co Down and information technology businesses in Belfast and the North West.

“What perhaps is not widely known is that we have world class examples of the different STEM industries right here in Northern Ireland,” said Joanne.

“Working at the Northern Ireland Science Park, I see the great strides that are being made by our local companies and individuals in science, technology and engineering innovation.

“Despite the difficult economic conditions, Northern Ireland is leading the way with successful, innovative companies across many industry sectors.”

STEM — not just for boys Having worked for over 20 years in the Information Technology industry, and as a member of Matrix, the Northern Ireland Science Panel, Joanne is well placed to encourage young women to consider a career in the STEM industries.

“In the year since we first published a STEM supplement,

the STEM businesses have made great progress in the area of addressing gender balance,” she continued.

“The STEM Business Group published a report in November entitled ‘Addressing Gender Balance — Reaping the Gender Dividend in STEM’. Working with the Equality Commission, we launched the STEM Charter in June and more than 20 employers have signed up to the Charter. Later this month, more than two dozen STEM Employers will attend the newly created STEM Employers Equality Network (SEEN), to look at how they can make their jobs more attractive to potential employees, especially women.”

She continued: “This supplement includes profiles of some of our inspiring young women who have successful careers within the STEM industries and they are great role models to inspire other young women to consider these career pathways.”

More information and a list of the companies that have signed up to the STEM Charter can be obtained from www.equalityni.org/STEM. Help with fees In these uncertain financial times, parents might be glad to know that an increasing number of companies offer

STEM students support to help them with the cost of their studies and provide them with work during their placement year out from university or college.

Joanne said: “Scholarships and bursaries are a great way to encourage our students to take up STEM courses and provide the successful students with a wonderful opportunity to learn all the skills which will help them secure interesting employment in these exciting areas of work.”

These pages include a profile of a former scholarship student with Asidua, the software consultancy. Emma Davidson’s story demonstrates the value of scholarship to student and employer.

What can parents do?

Research indicates that parents are extremely important in influencing the choices that a young person makes with regard to their career. Parents can help by guiding young people to sources of information such as this supplement, STEM open days and events and discussing options with them.

Joanne said: “We in the STEM Business group are passionate about STEM and the benefits it brings to our people and our economy. This is why we have

Contents

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CultureTECH brings Minecraft to the west

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Northern Ireland offers world class opportunities for STEM jobs Doors opening for college graduates

Salesforce NI 028 4483 9787 beltelsupplements@salesforce-ni.co.uk

our STEM professionals and be inspired too.”

For further information, please visit the NIDirect website http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers as well as other websites featured in the following pages.

Science Festival to launch in 2015

CREDITS & CONTACTS FOR COMMERCIAL SUPPLEMENTS Advertising

designed this supplement with the support of STEM organisations and the Belfast Telegraph to give people a flavour of the vast range of opportunities that STEM presents in Northern Ireland. We hope you will read the stories of

Editorial and production

Real Time Editing and Design NI — 028 9026 4020 f.rutherford@redni.co.uk

he final two weeks in February 2015 will see Northern Ireland host its first large scale festival celebrating the wonders of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The 11 day festival, to be held between February 19 and March 1, 2015, will focus on providing young people, adults and families with a wide range of interactive workshops, inspirational talks, project displays and exciting hands-on activities.

Supported by the Department for Employment and Learning and Belfast City Council, the NI Science Festival will host over 50 events primarily in Belfast with satellite events across Northern Ireland. Ultimately the festival aims to bring science to the wider public in a way that will have a lasting positive effect throughout the country by interweaving an awareness of science into our society.

The festival is working closely with key organisations such as W5, the NI Science Park, the Institute of Physics, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the University of Ulster, Queens University, the Open University, Colleges NI,

Sentinus, the BBC and the Institute of Engineering and Technology to develop a busy 11 day programme of activity. These events will cover different fields of STEM and innovation, including digital technology, health, physics, biology, chemistry, engineering and maths.

Given that families, peers and societal influences exert a considerable influence on students’ aspirations, the Festival will aim to raise the level of science capital in society by targeting a wide spectrum of age groups and abilities. Alongside the annual festival, the festival has a strong focus on providing a promotional platform for other STEM events, helping to coordinate and promote events across the region beyond the main festival dates.

With a programme being developed and launched in January 2015, the festival is encouraging local businesses, STEM focused organisations, schools and anyone with an interest in STEM to get involved through either hosting, taking part or sponsoring an event. To contact the event organisers and for more information, visit www.nisciencefestival.com or email chris@nisciencefestival.com

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

North West Regional Science Park: A a wealth of new opportunities T I he North West is acknowledged as having a young, highly educated population bursting with talent. A priority for the region is to retain and grow that talent, reversing the loss of its young graduates towards the capital cities and beyond.

The shape of our economy is changing, with a major shift towards what are known as “knowledge-based” enterprises: IT, tech, scientific, engineering and creative industries.

The North West Regional Science Park, officially opening today in Derry~Londonderry, is a hugely exciting step in the development of the region’s ‘Knowledge Economy’.

Coinciding with the fantastic CultureTECH festival in Derry, there is no doubt that there’s now a wealth of interest and opportunity for young people in this area.

The new modern, superconnected office space on the banks of the River Foyle is a satellite centre for the successful Northern Ireland Science Park which began a decade ago in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter.

The key to the Science Park’s success is that it is now at the hub of an impressive (global) network which connects the best in academic research & development with entrepre-

neurs, advisors, mentors, professionals and business experts.

Together this community facilitates development of the brightest and best local innovators through support and mentorship by those who have been there and done that – free of charge. It provides a platform from which to develop an idea, to turn it into a viable business and then, for those who are ready to grow, to pitch that fledgling company to private sector investors (known as Business Angels) looking to back the “next big thing”.

Any young person looking for relevance and inspiration on STEM and the Science Park should look no further than an event tomorrow (Wednesday 17th) as part of CultureTECH. It’s called CREATE2014 and it is a spin-out of one of the Science Park’s young people’s pro-

grammes, Generation Innovation. A group of teenagers (all aged 16-18) have not only created a full day tech conference for young people, which has attracted speakers from the likes of Microsoft, BBC Click and a new Facebook intern, but they have also managed to finance the event through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

They smashed their target and raised almost double the funds needed in just three weeks. If you’re around, we suggest you check it out: www.create2014.co – these guys are inspirational and there’s a lot more where they came from!

For more information on the work of the Science Park, visit www.nisp.co.uk and have a look at the Techwatch videos, where you can find out about some of the amazing companies starting up in Northern Ireland.

great career can stem from STEM subjects

ndividuals who have qualifications in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) are in demand. A qualification in STEM puts you in a stronger position in today's competitive job market. Studying STEM subjects opens up a wide variety of exciting and rewarding career opportunities here in Northern Ireland.

It can be hard to make the link between what you study in the classroom and the opportunities available in the world of work. There are many exciting STEM related employment options available in Northern Ireland and numerous world class companies.

Spending time carrying out research into the careers available will help you understand the variety of positions available in a range of sectors for both males and females.

As a first step, log onto the web at www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers. The site will give you access to extensive information regarding education, skills and training. It is also a good starting point when researching STEM related careers.

The following areas have been designated by the Minister for Employment and learning as priorities for the Northern Ireland economy: • Business and Financial Services (including accountancy, corporate recovery, financial analysts) • ICT (particularly software development skills, database development, systems architecture and internet specialist skills) • Agri Food Sector (including lab technicians, food scientists, biotech, machine operatives) • Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (CAD skills, CNC machine operatives, mechanical and electrical engineering skills including at technician level, strategic marketing) • Renewable energies and recycling • Health and life sciences • Creative and digital media Expert help is also available from the Department for Employment and Learning’s (DEL) Careers Service who deliver professional, impartial careers help to people of all ages, tailored to individual needs. This includes assistance with CVs, job applications and interviews and advice on job trends including industry sectors and occupations which will be important in the future. The service is delivered by professionally qualified careers advisers who can help you consider your skills, qualifications and experience, identify opportunities and develop achievable career plans.

Nigel Keery, Head of DEL’s Careers Service, advises that everyone should take time to carefully consider all career options open to them. There is a wide range of help and advice available not only for young people in school, but also for job seekers and job changers of all ages and they are encouraged to take advantage of it.

Accurate and up to date information on current and future job availability relevant to the local job market is a crucial factor when making decisions regarding a future career path. There are job opportunities available across all occupational areas in Northern Ireland, but there is a higher demand in STEM occupations. You can find out more about the skills in demand by logging on to www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills-in-demand.

The Careers Service, recognising the importance of high quality labour market information, has trained all their careers advisers in the interpretation and use of statistics relating to job trends. In addition, Careers information factsheets are available on www.nidirect.gov.uk

Nigel Keery, Head of DEL’s Careers Service

/job-trends.htm, providing information on employment opportunities, qualification requirements, wages and job trends in a wide variety of occupational sectors within Northern Ireland.

They are a valuable source of information, providing an analysis of current and future employment trends within 24 industries in Northern Ireland. The information within these fact sheets is not just for students but should be considered by anyone of any age planning a career, looking for a change, employed or unemployed or weighing up future study.

There are a number of routes available into STEM careers. These include: • Higher education qualifications such as degrees help you develop a thorough understanding of a subject. There are a vast number of subjects to choose from. It is important to reflect on current and future employment demands when choosing any career path.

• Higher National Certificates and Diplomas are another option. These courses focus on 'learning by doing' and help develop skills that you can use in a particular job. They are highly valued by employers and can also count towards membership of professional bodies and other employer organizations.

• Foundation Degrees are higher education qualifications which are mainly delivered in local colleges. They provide an alternative pathway which combines academic and work related learning.

Foundation Degrees provide a route into employment and university, as well as a way to develop your knowledge and qualifications while working.

A Foundation Degree will give you the technical skills and academic knowledge required to progress in the workplace whilst gaining a higher education qualification.

• Apprenticeships are rapidly becoming a preferred way of learning for many people. Workbased learning is a winning formula benefiting not only the individual but also employers and the economy overall. An Apprenticeship provides both training and a qualification in a particular area. To view the full list of frameworks available visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills • Higher Apprenticeships - A new model of Apprenticeships and Higher Apprenticeships is due to be implemented in 2016. However, a number of Higher Level Apprenticeship Pilots are already underway in professional services, ICT and engineering sectors. New pilots in Finance and Accountancy and Applied Industrial and Life Science were recently announced by the Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry.

The Higher Level Apprenticeships Pilots will lead to a Level 5 qualification, which is equivalent to a Foundation degree.

The Careers Service can help you with your career decision making and offers free, impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

Find your local careers adviser by logging onto www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers. You can also contact the Careers Service by phone on 0300 200 7820.

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

The importance of STEM skills Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry

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ith the world becoming increasingly dependent on technology, it is envisaged that the range of related businesses and opportunities emerging in these areas will grow significantly and within the Executive’s Economic Strategy, a number of priority growth sectors have been identified to meet the demands of these sectors. These include ICT, Life and Health Sciences, Agri-food, Advanced Materials and Advanced Engineering and the recent growth in jobs in Northern Ireland has been concentrated in and around these areas.

From local labour market intelligence it is clear that qualifications in mathematics, computer science, biology, chemistry and physics are highly sought after. The challenge for my Department is to ensure the supply of people with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills at the same time as the economy grows by expanding our local STEM based businesses and through attracting more STEM based foreign direct investment into Northern Ireland.

We are making good progress.

Through the STEM Strategy, business and Government have taken a collaborative approach to address this issue and indicators

show that the number of people qualifying in STEM subjects has increased by 14% from 2008/09 to 2012/13.

By 2015, we will have established an additional 1,350 undergraduate places and 350 additional PhD places in STEM and economically relevant subject areas. The capacity of our education system to deliver the skills required is integral to our success and this need is met by the world class universities we have in Queen’s, the University of Ulster and the Open University.

On the demand side, Belfast is now the world’s top destination city for financial services technologies investments and is Europe’s leading destination city for software development and technical support investment. Right across the province there are strong engineering and food and life science sectors with world class companies including Schrader, Caterpillar, Wrightbus, Moy Park, Dunbia, Almac and Randox.

To date the areas of economic growth have tended to attract a predominantly male workforce, while female participation is focused on the public and service sectors. Raising this aspect of relative gender participation is not simply about equity and this remains a challenge if we are to reach

our full economic potential. We are increasingly competing for investment based upon the quality and skills of our people. As we seek to rebalance the economy with a strong innovation and export-led private sector, we need to ensure we are maximising the opportunities for everyone in the highly-skilled jobs of the future, and also not undermining our own prospects for growth through not encouraging sufficient participation from both genders.

It is important to note that there are a number of routes into STEM employment through apprenticeships, further education and higher education. In addition, my Department has worked with industry to develop Academies in Software Testing, Cloud Technology and DATA analytics that skill graduates to meet the demands of the local IT industry. Initiatives such as ‘Coderdojo’ and the Belfast Metropolitan College/Kainos ‘Code Camp’ have also been established to meeting the growing interest of our young people in computer coding.

The message from industry is clear. There is demand for those skilled in STEM subjects and through interventions by my Department and the further and higher education sectors and my wider Executive colleagues we will endeavour to meet this demand.

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry with (l-r) Professor Richard Millar, University of Ulster and Professor Tony Gallagher, QUB after he recently announced additional funding to support Masters Courses at the University of Ulster and Queen's University Belfast

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

IT’s booming in the west

here is a world of opportunity for people moving into STEM careers outside Belfast with key centres of engineering in County Tyrone and a burgeoning Information Technology sector in the greater Derry area.

Several IT companies based in Belfast also have offices in County Londonderry, such as Allstate NI, recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s best employers, and Fujitsu, the largest Japanese employer in the country with over 800 employees.

Marie-Claire McCoy is a Technical Services Specialist at Fujitsu, based at Strand Road Derry.

The company employs some 162,000 people worldwide.

Marie-Claire’s job involves supporting many high profile customers from the private and public sectors. “We implement major projects and enhancements for these customers and provide 24/7 support and ongoing advice and guidance.”

Now in her 15th year with Fujitsu, she would “highly recommend” this type of career.

“There are opportunities to travel to customer sites and work collaboratively with other Fujitsu employees in other countries. Previously I worked

in England on a number of customer sites and last year I got the opportunity to travel to Pune, India.”

Marie-Claire said Fujitsu’s services and solutions keep vital services such as making payments to retail companies and banks, retail technology, travel and ticketing, public services and telecommunications systems working smoothly.

Her path to Fujitsu began with a degree in Information Management and a Masters Degree in Computer Based Learning at Queen’s University, Belfast. “My first job was with CS Suppliers and involved transforming the company from running manually to an entirely computerised operation.”

She joined Fujitsu two years later. “In the following nine years I developed my career attending technical training courses and working on a wide variety of projects and services in Belfast. Six years ago I relocated to Derry with my family and took up a position in the

new Fujitsu office.”

Marie-Claire enjoys the new challenges and projects the job brings. “Technology has changed so rapidly since I joined Fujitsu. In the earlier years all the servers were physical devices and now we use virtual machines and cloud services.

Training is ongoing in this profession and I enjoy working on all the latest equipment and technologies.”

Balancing the demands of a career and family life can be stressful but Fujitsu supports a Work-Life balance model that allows employees to change the way they work. “After having three children, I now work a 34 hour week over four days so I have a Wednesday at home,” explained Marie-Claire. “This is great for swimming lessons, appointments or a picnic in the park!”

The future, she believes, is great for people considering a career in IT. “Fujitsu’s vision for a ‘more connected society’ is about delivering services to individuals in a way that is imme-

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

PROFILE Emma Davidson Software Engineer, Asidua Emma Davidson has gone through Asidua’s Scholarship programme, and is returning to the company, which is based in Weaver’s Court, Belfast, as a Graduate Software Engineer this October.

1:1 Computing at Key Stage 3 in action at St Mary’s College, Derry (a Microsoft Mentor School) diately relevant to what they’re doing, where they are and what they need. It’s the idea that people’s lives are enriched by ICT and innovation, leading to a stronger and more self-sustaining economy and society. There will be an even greater demand for people with the right ICT skills to deliver this vision.”

Andrena Bradley, Senior Division Leader, Operations Allstate, Strabane, has also established her career in the north-west.

She manages over 300 people in the Strabane contact centre and oversees a further 50 people in Virginia, USA. “I would advise anyone starting out post school or even anyone seeking a complete change in career to give the contact centre industry a try,” she said.

Much of Allstate’s workforce in Strabane is drawn from former textile workers who were affected when that industry

shrank. Andrena said her teams are fully equipped with the expertise to provide first class technical support and customer service. “I think of contact centre operations as being the pulse and heartbeat of the organisation. It plays such a critical and integral role to provide others with the availability of basic tools, advice and knowledge that they need and rely on to carry out their duties as best they can and ensure that Allstate remains competitive in the US Insurance market.”

Andrena’s route to IT management began with a HND in Business IT at college followed by a degree in computing science. “I decided during my first year at Uni that the

course I had chosen was not for me, so I jumped into a call centre job for the summer to rethink. That was 16 years ago and I am glad to say it has not taken me 16 years to figure out my career plan, thanks to the rapid training and development I received. I now hold the post of Senior Manager celebrating my 10th anniversary with Allstate in October this year and looking forward to many more!”

Andrena loves the fast paced environment of the contact centre industry. “I love having the opportunity to interact with such a large diverse group of people across the globe, not to mention the opportunities I’ve had to travel to the USA over the last few years!”

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY In my placement year, I worked on a project which helped in the development of my programming skills in Java, JSP, CSS, XML, SQL - technologies that I had previously seen before at University. I have also learnt about technologies that are brand new to me, such as Hibernate, Spring and Struts. I thoroughly enjoy all aspects of software engineering and programming, and I feel that my time was well spent learning and using these technologies and applying this knowledge to real world scenarios. In my summer placement I was able to learn how to program in C# (which greatly helped me with projects in my second year at university), and spent time researching Cloud Computing and the ability to integrate this upcoming technology with my project at the time.

PROFILE Scholarship in 2011 and I have previously undertaken a summer and Year Out Placement at Asidua.

David Elliot Final Year Apprentice Project Design Engineer CDE Global, Cookstown, County Tyrone

I enjoy the problem Solving and the 3D design within my job and particularly like the opportunities given to me to help further myself

CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? Being a placement student is hard work - but I know all of this will eventually pay off. This firsthand experience of how the IT Sector operates has given me a real insight into the future of my career - and I wouldn't have been able to gain this experience without Asidua. They have literally taken me under their wing and continue to guide me each day! Gaining the scholarship has given me a foothold above the rest of my peers with regards to experience in this field and it has been my proudest achievement. I would recommend anyone wanting to gain experience in this growing and buzzing field to apply for a position at Asidua.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY A typical working day involves 3D and 2D design combined with problem solving and key thinking as part of a team. It can range from day to day on the specifics of what you are doing to working with new challenges to solve and overcome.

CAN YOU SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? I will finish my foundation degree next year and become a Design Engineer. From there I will hopefully progress my career further up the ladder as there are opportunities opening up all the time.

HOW DOES DESIGN ENGINEERING MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE? Problem solving and logical thinking has developed the world into the modernised place it is and it is with constant innovative ideas from the engineering sector that we continue to grow and develop ourselves. One small idea = One big difference

SALARY AND BENEFITS? As part of Asidua’s Scholarship programme, successful applicants are eligible for to up to £25,000 throughout the course of their degree. This is made up of a paid summer and year out placement, as well as bursaries within the academic year and the potential of part time work (subject to business requirements). This is of real benefit when you are a student!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL ROUTE TO THIS POST? I am about to return to Asidua as a Graduate Engineer after studying at Queen's University Belfast on the MEng Computer Science Pathway. I was one of five students who won the Asidua

WOULD YOU SAY THAT DESIGN ENGINEERING REPRESENTS A GOOD CAREER? Design engineering as many other forms of engineering has excellent starting salaries and benefits with the ability to advance to higher levels with the correct level of work. I would recommend design engineering to anyone interested as it a good career with plenty of prospects for further development

Angela Canavan, Asidua’s Chief Operations Officer, congratulates Emma Davidson on winning the 2010-2011 Scholarship

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL ROUTE TO THIS POST? Completed GCSE’s and A-levels in secondary school, moved onto an apprentice scheme within SouthWest College and joined CDE as an apprentice.

Year 1 + 2 = Level 3 diploma in Engineering, NVQ Level 2&3 Engineering + Co working through CDE Year 3 + 4 = Foundation Degree in Manufacturing Engineering (Currently moving onto my fourth year) + Co working through CDE WHAT DO YOU REALLY LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND DESIGN ENGINEERING TO YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT ON THEIR CAREER? Absolutely, with the industry and time we are in, engineering has some excellent career opportunities across all sectors for innovative people who want to make a difference.

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

15,000 young people to take part in major science and technology event O

ver 15,000 young people are scheduled to take part in CultureTECH, the annual festival of creative innovation and technology which starts next week in Derry-Londonderry.

The details, released today, are set to make CultureTECH one of the largest science and technology events for young people in the country.

The programme, supported by technology company Seagate and local regeneration company ILEX amongst others, features a range of activities and events which focus on science, technology and media including; a week-long science stage show, a series of workshops delivered by the team from Minecraft Edu (Finland) and a technology conference designed and delivered by six Northern Irish teenagers.

Festival director Mark Nagurski said: “This is the second year where we’ve worked to create a dedicated programme for young people.

Over 8,000 took part in CultureTECH Junior last year and that number is set to nearly double this year. We’re hoping to really take it up a notch in

terms of the content as well with big stage shows, dozens of in-school workshops and a huge dose of Minecraft in the classroom.”

Dr Brian Burns, Vice President of Seagate’s Springtown Operations said: “We’re thrilled to see CultureTECH Junior continue to evolve and expand its reach to even more of our young people. These youngsters are the employees of tomorrow so it’s vital that Seagate and other organisations engage with them in creative and fun ways to encourage them to pursue subjects that will be their stepping stones to exciting careers in the fields of science, technology, IT and media.”

Speaking on behalf of sponsor Ilex, Gerard McCleave, Director of Strategy and Regeneration said: "Ilex supports creative innovation and is working with CultureTECH to embed the ethos of digital technology at the heart of our economy, promoting entrepreneurship and learning. Science and Technology are at the heart of the city's One Plan and CultureTECH's fun and imaginative approach is an

ideal way of reaching the enquiring minds of our young "Brainiacs". CultureTECH nurtures creative innovation which will be the source of the majority of new jobs in a growing economy".

Highlights of the programme include: Ministry of Science An anarchic stage show from the creative team behind Brainiac Live, supported by Seagate, ILEX and Arts & Business Northern Ireland.

The STEMies A red carpet awards ceremony for participants in the Big Video Challenge programme, funded by the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure.

Create:2014 A one-day creative conference produced by six young people, aged 16-18, from Northern Ireland. Featured speakers include Kate Russell, a presenter on the popular BBC Click series and Michael Sayman, a 17 year old entrepreneur from the US. The project has been developed by CultureTECH

and the Northern Ireland Science Park’s Generation Innovation programme.

Students from Oakgrove Primary School get a taste of Minecraft in the classroom courtesy of MinecraftEdu's Santeri Koivistio. This programme Minecraft Edu - is sponsored by Seagate and Arts and the Finnish Business NI team behind Minecraft Edu will deliver two weeks of school workshops and teacher training activities to introduce video games as an educational tool in local classrooms.

These workshops are supported by Seagate and Arts & 50 Northern Irish schools.

Business NI. The Northern Ireland Space Office, BT and Kainos will also The festival will also be deliver activities in schools used as a launchpad for new initiatives including a schools’ across the city, joining technology and science speakers codebreaking competition in including Ann Riordan partnership with Seagate and (Chairman, Science an extensive careers Foundation Ireland), Stephen programme led by Breslin (CEO, Glasgow Science Honeycomb - Creative Works, which will be delivered in over Centre) and Australian

physicist and would-be astronaut Josh Richards.

The educational programme will also extend beyond the schools themselves to include free weekend activities across the city centre. Further details can be found online at www.culturetech.co/prog

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

STEM graduates earn £250K more than non-graduates in their working lifetime R

ecently released figures show that STEM graduates earn nearly £250,000 more than non-graduates in their working lifetime.

The figure comes as Queen’s University Belfast offers £50K in dedicated STEM scholarships for students enrolling for entry in September 2014.

In addition, those students applying for a science, technology, engineering or mathematics subjects at the University will also be eligible to enter the Queen’s Scholars competition, where ten students will have their tuition fees paid for the duration of their degree at the University.

Speaking ahead of the start of the 2015 UCAS applications process, Professor David Jones (pictured), Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Students at Queen’s, said: “I would really encourage young people to choose to study a STEM degree at Queen’s as it will help jumpstart their career. It will afford them the opportunity to stay local and go global.

“Queen’s is in the top one per cent of universities in the world and The Sunday Times ranks us in the top 30 in the UK for graduate level employment. Our students are taught by worldleading academics, and 94% of our graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduating.

“With a STEM degree from Queen’s, there is a huge variety of exciting career paths open to our graduates. We know that 72 per cent of all UK businesses rely on people with STEM skills and 58 per cent of all new jobs will be STEM related.

“At Queen’s therefore we ensure our students gain the employability skills to set them apart in their future careers. We offer an amazing array of opportunities to further develop those skills through industry placements and study abroad schemes. We are working closely with industry to anticipate their future needs and to ensure the relevancy of our courses to employers.”

Queen’s attracted over 310 employers to its recruitment fairs last year, all of which were offering graduate jobs or placements.

Professor Jones added: “Students who study STEM subjects at Queen’s are taught by those who are

regarded as world-leaders in their field, including Professor Maire O’Neill, Director of Research for Data Security Systems at our Centre for Secure Information Technologies and a former Female Inventor of the Year and recipient of a prestigious Silver Medal by the Royal Academy of Engineering; Professor Chris Hardacre who won the Andrew Medal of the Institution of Chemical Engineering and by Professor Chris Elliott, Director of our Institute for Global Food Security, who is a world authority on food safety and recently lead the UK government's independent review into food systems following the horsemeat scandal.

“The bottom line is that a STEM degree from Queen’s will lead to a challenging and fulfilling career. It offers global employment prospects and increases the likelihood of a good salary later in life.

Studying a STEM degree at Queen’s opens up a world of possibilities and I hope many students will seize the opportunity to do just that.”

Visit www.qub.ac.uk/sites/STEM/ for further information on the STEM Academy at Queen’s and the range of career opportunities on offer with a STEM degree.

PROFILE Joanna Donaldson Data Science Stream, First Derivatives, Newry What does your job entail?

First Derivatives plc trains graduates to become topclass consultants within the Capital Market industry.

Currently I am still in the training programme, and within the last month have sat eight internal exams, which have been a mixture of technical, financial and consulting. Data Scientists are also required to learn kdb+, the fastest programming language in the world.

Would you say that yours is a good career?

Data Science requires the best software to cope with high volume and high velocity information it collates on a daily basis. First Derivatives have anticipated the demand for Data Scientists and so commenced a Data Science stream in January 2014. This new, innovative and rapidly expanding field is very exciting for anyone with an interest in the financial markets as well as the technology required to support transactions.

What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

I studied Maths, Further Maths, Business Studies and Latin at A-Level before completing a 4 year BSc Actuarial Science and Risk Management in Queens’ University Belfast. My third year was a placement year, which I spent in the Actuarial Operations team in Capita Life and Pensions, Dublin. I decided to venture into the data science field after encouragement from a lecturer due to

my relevant skills.

What do you like about your job?

I really like the unique combination of financial and technical skills within my job. Having come from a finance/maths background I had very little technical knowledge before starting my new job and am now one of only 200 people worldwide who know kdb+! First Derivatives also offer the opportunity to work with very well-known clients in the Capital Markets industry, so your CV can look very impressive within a short period of time.

As well as kdb+ training, I also have the opportunity to learn more about the financial markets and pick up other technical skills like Unix, SQL and Java.

How would you describe job prospects in your industry?

Big Data is a currently a buzz word in the finance industry and companies are increasingly finding the benefits it can bring, whether in anticipating when an employee will leave, what advertising strategy worked best on what day, or how current events affect customer decision making.

Within the actuarial field, predictive analytics has always been an integral part of the job; now predictive analytics is being used in a huge variety of sectors for a wide range of purposes.

Would you recommend Big Data to someone starting out on their career?

Definitely! Working in such a specialist field is undoubtedly a challenge but one which is worthwhile. The field of Big Data offers great opportunities and those with expertise in this area will be in high demand for the incoming years.

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

Hands on approach at W5 PROFILE T

he STEM Ambassador Programme is coordinated by the award winning W5 and is a free resource available to all post primary schools in Northern Ireland.

This programme aims to support the needs of local schools assisting with the STEM curriculum and the promotion of STEM careers, thus inspiring our next generation of scientists, technologists and engineers alike.

We strive to deliver our vision and purpose by working with schools, colleges and STEM employers, to enable young people of all backgrounds and abilities to meet inspiring role models, understand real world applications of STEM subjects and experience hands-on STEM activities that motivate, inspire and bring learning and career opportunities to life.

Officially, STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and filters into almost every aspect of our lives.

This definition doesn’t even begin to do it justice. Unofficially, STEM is a declaration that we need to bring creativity and passion to our classrooms.

The STEM programme is a progression towards teaching young people how to integrate the scientific method into their everyday lives, whilst highlighting the STEM skills and qualifications that can lead to exciting, dynamic and high paying careers.

Chris Taylor Process Engineer, Kilwaughter Chemical Co, Larne WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL ROUTE TO THIS POST? From an early age and even throughout school my Technology and Science teacher told me that I should study Engineering. While studying for my A-levels I knew that I wanted to go down the chemistry route.

I applied to do Chemistry at Queen’s University.

During my first semester I completed modules in chemistry, chemical engineering and maths. It was at this stage I switched my career focus to Chemical Engineering as I found the module really interesting.

STEMNET (the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network) creates opportunities to inspire young people in STEM and STEM careers and across Northern Ireland, our STEM Ambassadors volunteer their time and support to promote STEM subjects to young learners in a vast range of original, creative, practical and engaging ways.

STEM Ambassadors come from a wide range of careers and professions, including environmental scientists, civil engineers, marine biologists,

medical physicists, pharmacists, energy analysts, architects and games developers to name but a few.

They are an invaluable and free resource for teachers, delivering the STEM curriculum and raising awareness of STEM careers, by revealing how essential STEM is throughout the world.

For further information, contact Julia Carson, STEM Ambassador Programme Manager, 02890 467722 or email juliacarson@w5online.co.uk

WOULD YOU SAY CHEMICAL ENGINEERING REPRESENTS A GOOD CAREER? Absolutely! Chemical Engineering needs a good solid background in chemistry to understand the nature of the chemical process and the movement of materials. After graduating I began looking for work opportunities and with my degree there were a variety of options open to me. The choice was initially daunting because I was still uncertain on my career direction. I was delighted to secure the Process Engineer opportunity at Kilwaughter Chemical Company Ltd and have found my role both challenging and rewarding. It’s great being able to put my studies into practice. I am learning every day and receive coaching and mentoring from experienced engineers onsite.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORKING DAY? I am currently working on a large project to install a major piece of operational plant onsite. With the installation phase I am dealing with several different types of contractors in order to progress the work to the next stage. As part of the company’s 3 year vision Kilwaughter are constantly investing in new plant and machinery so there is always a new project of interest on the horizon.

My role involves project management and

co-ordination skills to ensure everything is running to schedule and will meet deadlines. It’s a great project to be involved with.

My days generally involve meeting with the contractors and sourcing materials. When I am not with contractors I am specifying details for new pieces of equipment and their requirements or looking at plans to see how we can improve the process before we finalise completion times.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love the diverse range of tasks in my working day.

Every day is different due to the nature of my job.

Working mostly on a construction project I have to always be mindful of the projects in the pipeline and coordinate all the onsite contractors to ensure the operations run smoothly, so I have had a great deal of responsibility early in my career.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING TO YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT? Personally if someone had an interest in chemistry and working with plant I would highly recommend them looking at a degree in Chemical Engineering as it takes parts from both sides and opens up a whole new way of thinking and looking at things.

After all it was a chemical engineer that invented the post-it note by accident!

September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

World class STEM opportunities across Northern Ireland

World class in STEM, how?

Did you know that ...

1 in 5 computer drives has a part created in Northern Ireland by Seagate, Londonderry 1 in 3 London buses is made in Northern Ireland by Wrightbus, Ballymena 1 in 3 of the world’s aircraft seats are made in Northern Ireland by B/E Aerospace, Kilkeel 40% of the world’s mobile stone crushing and gravel screening equipment is made in Northern Ireland, mainly in County Tyrone 50% of the worldwide market for tyre pressure monitoring sensors is produced by Schrader Electronics, mostly from their factories in Antrim and Carrickfergus Belfast is Europe’s leading destination city for software development and technical support investment 1 in 4 of the world's full scale marine energy prototypes have been developed, tested or manufactured in Northern Ireland Some of the world leading global brands who have located in Northern Ireland include Seagate Technology, Bombardier Aerospace, B/E Aerospace, Caterpillar, Allstate Northern Ireland, Liberty IT, Microsoft, HCL Technologies Abbey, Citi, DuPont and Allen & Overy.

We are fortunate in having many world class indigenous companies such as Almac, Randox, Norbrook, First Derivatives, Creative Composites, Kainos, Asidua, Kelvatek, Andor and HeartSine.

Crucial decision time for young people

There are several important decision Financial sector Financial Sector is increasingly making times for young people and one The important to Northern Ireland with software development of them is right now, as this is the time specialist centres established by NYSE Euronext, Citi, CME Group, First of year when the University and Derivatives, Fidessa and others to College Admission forms have to be service high profile financial services firms in global centres worldwide. completed. The Science, Technology, A number of technology and professional services firms that offer Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) solutions to the sector also operate support centres in Northern Ireland.

Businesses in Northern Ireland These include Allen & Overy, Herbert Smith Freehills, Axiom Law, recognise this as a critical time in a PwC, Deloitte, Kofax, Concentrix, young person’s life and are urging Polaris, and Capita. company First Derivatives is parents, teachers and young people to a aLocal leading provider of products and consulting services to the capital consider the excellent STEM Course markets industry and is headquartered in Newry. Employing over 700 and Career opportunities that are people it has operational bases in available right across Northern Ireland. Europe, North America, Asia and and washing equipment – as well as bespoke equipment for the increasingly important recycling industry.

International names with a manufacturing presence in Northern Ireland include Terex, Caterpillar and NACCO (USA),

Opportunities across the country?

Engineering Materials handling

For further information: Careers Websites: www.nidirect.gov.uk/careers www.nidirect.gov.uk/skills-in-demand STEM Careers Information: STEMNET: www.w5online.co.uk/stemnet/careers Queen’s STEM Careers: www.qub.ac.uk/sites/STEM Food: tastycareers.org.uk/case-studies IT: bringitonni.info Engineering: www.engineeringcareers.co.uk

Northern Ireland is a recognised centre of excellence in the design and manufacture of materials handling equipment for a broad range of applications including construction, quarrying, mining and recycling.

Invest NI says that we have one of the world’s most successful clusters of engineering companies developing innovative solutions that are exported globally.

A large proportion of the companies are located in County Tyrone but the machinery manufactured in Northern Ireland is sold to customers worldwide for applications as diverse as iron ore mining in India, road construction in Peru, diamond exploration in South Africa and sand washing in the Arabian Gulf.

Among areas of particular expertise are mobile screening, crushing

Group and Dunbia.

Bombardier Aerospace, B/E Aerospace, Magellan Aerospace, Goodrich, RFD Beaufort and Thales, have substantial operations in Northern Ireland that supply many aerospace and defence programmes worldwide.

What isn’t so well known about this sector is that a number of the companies are located outside Belfast, Bombardier Aerospace for example, has four sites in Northern Ireland: the main Queen’s Island complex, Dunmurry, Newtownabbey and Hawlmark, Newtownards.

Magellan Aerospace which took over Huddleston Engineering has a factory in Greyabbey, B/E Aerospace operates from Kilkeel and Moyola Precision Engineering is based in Castledawson.

Agri-food

Sandvik and TESAB (Sweden) and McCloskey (Canada).

Local firms such as CDE Global, a Cookstown company, Telestack and Herbst Machinery firms based in Omagh and Mallaghan Engineering in Dungannon are also major players in materials handling.

Aerospace and Defence Several companies, including

Agri-Food is a very important sector in Northern Ireland, Invest NI says that this industry is the largest single contributor to Northern Ireland’s total manufacturing sales (accounting for 26%), manufacturing external sales (accounting for 23%), and manufacturing export sales (accounting for 24%).

The Agri-food sector has published a strategy called ‘Growing for Growth’ in which it estimates that there are 100,000 employees currently and plans to grow that to 115,000 by 2020.

Food manufacturing companies are found all over Northern Ireland; see page 13 for our profile of Joanne Elliott of Mash Direct in Comber.

However food production and processing take place all over Northern Ireland. Some of the best known companies include Moy Park, Kerry Foods, Linden Foods, the Foyle Food

Australia. See pages 9 and 17 for profiles of two employees from First Derivatives. We also have a profile of Joanne Healey, who manages PwC’s Forensic Technology Solutions section, on page 15.

Information Technology

You may think that all the IT opportunities are in Belfast and yes there are many companies which have located there. However several IT companies which have offices in Belfast also have offices in Derry.

These include Allstate NI, which also has an office is Strabane, and Fujitsu. Employees from both companies talk about their jobs on page 6.

There are now so many IT companies of various sizes that Ilex, the Urban Regeneration Company, has produced a map of them called Digital Derry (right).

Momentum NI, the organisation which represents the digital industry in Northern Ireland has produced a plan to grow the digital sector by 20,000 jobs over the next five years.

Life and Health Sciences

Northern Ireland is blessed with several world leading local companies in this sector which include Norbrook in Newry, Almac in Craigavon and Randox in Crumlin. Many scientists and engineers are employed in this industry.

So how can a young person access a STEM course and career pathway?

There are lots of different routes to a STEM Career and these include apprenticeships, vocational qualifications and degrees.

Each of the profiles from our contributors contains details about the person’s educational route and more information can be gleaned from the Department for Employment and Learning Careers Service article and from the websites listed in the panel (left).

STEM – it’s where the jobs are!

September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

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PROFILE Joanne Elliott Technical Manager at Mash Direct, Comber DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY As Technical Manager at Mash Direct no two days are ever the same — this variety is what I enjoy most about my role. On average I spend approximately 70% of my time on the factory floor completing checks to ensure everything is up to standard in terms of product quality and safety, whilst making sure procedures are being adhered to. At Mash Direct we have had a BRC A+ rating for food safety for several years, which we are very proud of, and these checks play an integral role in maintaining it. I also deal with customer queries, assist with new product development projects and am continuously conducting tastings, sampling products and trialling new recipes. There is daily interaction with like-minded customers and suppliers and we are always aiming to improve on and create new customer specifications and expectations.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER PATH TO THIS POST? I actually studied a joint honours in English and Spanish at Queens University. However I embarked on a fast track post-graduate programme with Parity Training in Belfast which was designed to introduce non-science/food technology students into the food industry. This enabled me to undertake a placement as a Quality Assistant, an area of food manufacture I particularly enjoyed, which led to me being offered my first role as a Quality Assistant after just three months placement. I later took on a Quality Manager post in a high risk environment and then moved into a Quality Manager role in fresh produce before joining Mash Direct as Technical Manager in January of this year. I have been very fortunate to work for companies and in particular Mash Direct that offer full support behind their technical team. They have always encouraged my development and provided for the needs of the team.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THE FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? The food and drink industry is one of Northern Ireland’s biggest successes as vibrant companies like Mash Direct continue to hit the headlines with positive news stories of expansion and growth. This opens up a host of exciting career opportunities for young people in all aspects of the industry. In particular there are always jobs and career opportunities within technical departments, which were once described to me as ‘the heartbeat of the business’. Mash Direct is a fantastic local employer and as the business continues to evolve new roles are developing all the time for enthusiastic, forward thinking individuals.

WHAT DO YOU REALLY LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love the fact that each day at Mash Direct is totally different and the job itself is very diverse.

I am constantly learning new things and I have had lots of opportunities for personal development through training. I also particularly enjoy working in a dedicated team where everyone is encouraged to bring forward new ideas for product development and production methods. It is this team work which has contributed to Mash Direct’s award winning success, recently securing a further three Great Taste Awards to add to our product portfolio, which is hugely rewarding for all of us. There’s never a dull moment working in this fast paced environment as ultimately we provide the end consumer with confidence in the quality and safety of the product they are buying.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOOD TECHNOLOGY TO YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT ON THEIR CAREER? Definitely!

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

Building a career in construction

fter a difficult five years, with the recession biting hard for Northern Ireland construction employers, the future for construction in the Province is finally looking brighter.

Private housing, infrastructure and industrial work are all expected to help push the sector towards growth and around 1,280 new construction workers will be needed yearly over the next five years in Northern Ireland.

Construction is crucial to the success of our economic revival and young people must not be discouraged from entering the industry at this time. It is therefore very important for skills to be developed over the next few years in order to prepare for the upturn. Research has indicated that construction is facing an ageing workforce with around one in six workers due to retire within 10 years, so now more than ever there is a need to encourage young people to consider a career in construction.

Construction is a historic industry. It has built our homes, our hospitals, our schools, our roads, our railways, our workplaces, our airports, our greatest cathedrals and historic buildings. These buildings and landmarks that are developed will be here long after they have been constructed allowing us to make

our mark on the landscape. It is not hard to be amazed by some of the innovated construction projects that we have seen over the past few years such as the Titanic Signature Building, The Causeway Visitors Centre and the new South West Acute Hospital and the Peace Bridge to name a few.

With the worldwide challenge to reduce carbon emissions, now is a particularly exciting time to start a career in construction.

New processes are being introduced to ensure the industry becomes more sustainable, which means skills need to be adapted.

A huge variety of construction careers are available to choose from, ranging from trades such as bricklaying and joinery to professional occupations including architecture and civil engineering. The majority of trades within the industry require a minimum NVQ Level 2 or above and professional occupations normally require at least a degree level qualification or equivalent.

What’s next?

There are various methods of

entry to gaining employment within the construction industry. You can enrol onto an apprenticeship programme which could provide access through a craft trade such as bricklaying or alternatively you may want to continue with your education and enter the industry through the academic route for professional occupations such as architecture. Whatever method of entry you decide upon there are always career opportunities available and great potential prospects to diversify within the industry.

Career development You don’t just get a job in construction, you get a career.

There are opportunities to develop your managerial skills, start your own business, work internationally or become a master craftsman. There are good prospects for career enhancement and there is good earning potential.

Despite the economic downturn, recovery is on the horizon and construction could be the career option for you.

For an insight into the huge range of careers the construction industry has to offer and to give you an idea of what each job is like and what skills you’ll need to succeed log on to www.citbni.org.uk/careers

PROFILE Gillian Harkness Quality Engineer, Terex DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY I work as a quality engineer in final assembly, the area where the screeners are built and dispatched to customers from. Daily I work as part of a cross- functional team to support production. Approximately 80% of my day is spent on the shopfloor, so I'm not sitting behind a computer. Issues are varied but primarily are things which interrupt or slow down production, ensuring there is a quality standard for production teams to work towards. Using Lean manufacturing tools to continually improve the quality, driving towards zero defects. We liaise with suppliers with regards to the quality of the parts they are supplying. We act on customer complaints, working with design and production to eliminate issues, an important aspect of any business, to meet customer expectations.

WOULD YOU SAY YOUR TYPE OF ENGINEERING REPRESENTS A GOOD CAREER? I think it is a good career. With STEM there's always opportunity. Terex has a ‘Women @Terex’ initiative which presents opportunities for women.

HOW DOES YOUR WORK IMPACT ON PEOPLE’S LIVES? The machines manufactured at Terex are used in many ways that improve our everyday life, from road building to mining, recycling and onsite for major building projects. Our machines were used in preparation for London 2012 as well as to clean up in countries after natural disasters.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EDUCATIONAL/ PROFESSIONAL ROUTE TO THIS POST? I attended Omagh Academy Grammar School, where I studied Maths, Physics and Geography for A level. After A levels I went to Heriot-Watt

University to study Mechanical Engineering.

I was always more of a Maths / Science person at school and always wanted to join the RAF. However my eyesight would play a part in this so after university I joined Copeland Ltd, as an Industrial Engineer. I worked in one of their sister plants in the USA for two years, before returning to Cookstown to join them as a Quality Engineer for two years.

During my entire 10 years here I had the opportunity to travel in the US and to Germany. In my last few years with Copeland I decided to do some part-time study and completed my MBA at the University of Ulster.

This then took me to Terex's Omagh site where I joined at the beginning of 2008 as a Quality Engineer, and in October 2011 I moved into a similar role in their Dungannon site.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR JOB? I like that fact that no two days are the same. In my time in Dungannon I've been placed in different areas so there's always plenty to learn. With the development of new machines and updating older models there's always new material to get your head around. I get to work with a diverse group of people, some might think this is a negative but it makes things interesting!

WHAT ARE THE FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS IN YOUR INDUSTRY? I think there are opportunities there, if you want to take them. There are internal opportunities to work on secondment for periods of time, but also opportunities closer to home.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR LINE OF WORK TO YOUNG PEOPLE STARTING OUT ON THEIR CAREER? Entry level roles in engineering provide a fantastic grounding. Almost half the world’s crushing and screening industry is based in the Tyrone area, as is the supply base that feeds it. So in this area there is much opportunity for career growth.

Generation Innovation

Potential STEM leaders of the future turned out in force for the annual Northern Ireland Science Park (NISP) CONNECT Generation Innovation Night at the Ulster Hall, Belfast, earlier this year

PROFILE Joanne Healy, Forensic Technologist in PwC Can you describe a typical working day?

There is no typical day in the world of forensics! I regularly speak to PwC clients, both local and global, who suspect fraudulent activity is happening somewhere in their business. I need to understand their business in enough detail to pinpoint where the fraudulent activity is taking place, which lets us develop a customised forensic solution.

I’m part of the team developing our Data Analytics solution centre in Belfast and our new PwC data analytics academy.

I’m also heavily involved in developing new forensic technology products to counter cybercrime and advance the practical application of data analytics - for me that’s particularly interesting.

How does IT make the world a better place?

Around a third of cybercrime victim companies don’t realise they are victims until it’s too late, so helping the global business community use advanced analytical techniques to detect and prevent fraud certainly make the business world a better place.

Some people say that business fraud is a victimless crime, but it’s not. At best, significant financial loss through fraud, costs investment and jobs; at worse, it results in closure, which can impact families and entire communities. We help businesses proactively detect fraud so that it can be stopped before it escalates, and take proactive measures to ensure future protection.

We also assist financial regulators with investigations into large financial intuitions that may have been involved in practices that are not in consumers’ best interests. We have the skills and the technology to interrogate servers, systems and millions of electronic exchanges to detect and uncover unlawful activity and present it to regula-

PROFILE

Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry presents Sarah Thompson with her certificate on graduating from the Data Analytics Academy run by Deloitte

the globe, where the work can be challenging but very rewarding.

Many of the projects that our team work on are high profile but are highly confidential, so, when a successful outcome eventually appears on the news there’s a real sense of pride to know that the Belfast team were critical to solving the investigation – even if you can’t tell anyone.

Also, I work within a great team, everyone is really supportive and importantly, we don’t forget to have fun as well.

tors and the courts.

What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

I studied business studies at Alevel and really enjoyed it. I then went on to complete a BSc in Business Information Technology at Queen’s University, followed by a 1 year scholarship studying international business in the USA. After university I joined the BT graduate programme where I was responsible for the collation and distribution of sales, profit & loss and revenue data across BT Ireland’s sales team. After 3 years there, I relocated to Australia where I worked for an IT consultancy as a project manager, advising public and private sector clients before moving to a role in business intelligence at Virgin Australia Airlines, supporting their revenue management function. Having decided to relocate back to Belfast, I was fortunate to be offered my current specialist forensics job with PwC. What do you really like about your job?

I love the variety. No two days are ever the same and one project is never the same as the next. I am continually learning and developing my skills through on the job experience and structured training sessions.

I also get to work with PwC’s major blue chip clients around

Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry?

There are great job prospects in data analytics; there is no doubt that the future is digital.

The ever developing digital environment is an exciting, creative, and dynamic place to be and it is creating a lot of opportunities in the area of data analytics.

We have ambitious growth plans in the forensic technology solutions team and are constantly seeking to recruit high calibre graduates with an appetite to get involved with solving big problems for global clients. We are planning to double our Forensic Technology Solutions team here in PwC by 2016 and PwC is a great employer with opportunities for advancement, travel and even secondments abroad for ambitious, hardworking people. Northern Ireland is a highly respected centre of excellence for data analytics within PwC and that’s why the global firm supports growth in our region.

Would you recommend IT to young people starting out on their career?

Absolutely. If a young person is a logical thinker, has a strong interest in IT and would like to get involved in problem solving for large multinational clients then yes, I would recommend data analytics as a career. It’s probably the fastest growing area in local and global business and, as we all embrace the world in beta, it is going to get bigger.

Sarah Thompson, Data analyst, Deloitte, Belfast Can you describe a typical working day?

We use a range of techniques to solve business challenges faced by our clients across a wide variety of industry sectors. Currently I am working as part of a large team developing an enterprise performance management system for a government body which will transform how they manage their financial data. A typical working day can vary between liaising with clients, providing training to a range of stakeholders and working closely with the project team to design and develop a solution using leading technologies including IBM Cognos TM1 and Microsoft SQL Server.

Is data analytics a good career?

Data analytics is an interesting career which is highly competitive and rewarding. Deloitte offers a competitive salary for graduates, supporting further learning and training and providing many opportunities to progress within this industry.

Deloitte also offers a new type of working environment which is both innovative and creative through the recently opened Belfast Technology Studio.

What was your educational/ professional route to this post?

I studied accounting at Queen’s University Belfast after which I decided to undertake a Masters in Finance. Following this I participated in the inaugural Deloitte Analytics Training Academy, which included an intense nine-week training course in data analytics and a five-week placement in Deloitte.

The Deloitte Analytics Training Academy provides graduates who have an array of different degree types, with an insight into how data analytics can be combined with business intelligence to provide unique ways of problem solving. My educational background is non-technical and it gave me the opportunity to develop these skills which I now use in my every day work, as well as gaining industry-recognised qualifications.

What do you like about your job?

I like the variety - day to day actives vary quite significantly depending on the phase of the project and the particular client.

It also involves travelling to various destinations within Britain and further abroad. The work can be challenging but also rewarding as you are continually trying to exceed a client’s expectations as well as develop new business and

technical skills.

It is satisfying to know that within a project you are not only involved in building a solution but also have the opportunity to further your technical ability, develop personally and build strong relationships within Deloitte and also with clients.

How would you rate the future job prospects in your industry?

I think data analytics will become even more applicable to how we do business in the future as it is becoming more widely recognised that a better understanding of data can make a significant difference to the success of your business within any type of industry.

Would you recommend data analytics to young people starting out on their career?

I would – organisations are only now realising the full potential of their data. It is very satisfying to be able to work on something which will have many benefits to the customer and can shape how their business develops. Regardless of what discipline you studied if you are interested in problem solving, facing new challenges and learning a new set of skills then a career in data analytics will be enjoyable and stimulating.

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

Endless STEM career opportunities for college graduates I

nterested in an exciting career with great long term prospects, excellent job demand, higher than average starting salaries and lifetime earnings around 20% greater than other occupational areas?

If the answer is yes, then one of the many STEM related courses at your regional college could be the right choice for you. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM as we generally refer to it, surrounds us in our everyday lives. From our mobile phones to the food we eat, from the clothes we wear to the cars, buses and trains we travel in, from our broadband systems and laptops to the buildings we live in; all these things rely on people educated in STEM skills to create them. Importantly, the demand for people with STEM skills continues to grow and the NI Executive has set this as a priority for the Northern Ireland Economy.

Northern Ireland’s six Regional Colleges offer a huge range of full-time and part-time courses in STEM. From sports science; healthcare to engineering; creative media to applied sciences;

BEST Award finalists Chelsie Gray & Asli Yavuz of South Eastern Regional College with their award winning SERC Woodland Project

or animal care to music technology; STEM within colleges covers a diverse range of interesting and challenging course opportunities at all levels.

The choice is even greater when we consider options for those with Extended Diplomas, A levels or equivalent qualifications: The circa 40 Foundation Degrees on offer through the colleges, many of which have a strong basis in STEM. Awarded by universities and allowing progression onto an undergraduate degree - completion of a Foundation Degrees provides a highly attractive financial alternative given the lower initial

course fees and ability to study locally. A full-time courses lasts two years and a part-time course lasts three to four years.

In particular, part-time courses are flexible and can fit in with existing work patterns, meaning students can study towards the qualification with minimal disruption to existing work commitments.

The new higher level Apprenticeships offer individuals the opportunity to study advanced engineering, aeronautical engineering, life & industrial science, ICT and accounting / finance. The colleges are offering these in conjunction with large companies across NI including Norbrook Laboratories,

Goldblatt McGuigan and Bombardier.

To recognise the excellence of STEM across the FE sector, Colleges Northern Ireland created the BEST Awards in 2011 as an annual competition and showcase for college students to present their project work to senior industrialists, academics and government. Now in its fourth year, the BEST Awards are supported by major sponsors including BT, the Royal Academy of Engineering together with key Government Departments and industry bodies. This year’s final saw around 200 students competing in the disciplines of engineering, science, creative media, built environment and

Eight students along with a representative from the Department set off for Worcester Polytechnic, Massachusetts in July 2014 to attend the two week FRONTIERS programme

software. 2014 also saw the introduction of USA placements for the top eight students from the BEST Awards. Supported by the Department for Employment and Learning, the students travelled to Worcester Polytechnic, Massachusetts in July 2014 to attend the two week FRONTIERS programme which covered areas such as Robotics, Engineering Exploration, Global Sustainability and Women’s Leadership.

Speaking at the 2014 BEST Awards Final, the Minister for Employment and Learning, Dr Stephen Farry highlighted the importance of STEM to the Northern Ireland economy. Dr Farry added: “The Northern Ire-

land Economic Strategy highlights the fact that for many of the sectors which are going to contribute to our future economic growth, there will be a heavy reliance on a workforce with skills in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

“We must continue to enthuse and inspire our young people to study STEM courses. To do this, we must ensure that these sectors offer attractive employment opportunities, and that young people are aware of the diverse breadth of careers options available….

“It is clear from the many innovative projects on display here today, that the work of the six further education colleges is playing a key role in encouraging young people to consider careers in STEM.” To find out more about the FE sector or to obtain contacts for individual colleges, visit the Colleges NI website: www.collegesni.ac.uk, or email Dr Alan Blair, STEM Adviser, alan.blair@collegesni.ac.uk, Tel: 028 9068 4956; Twitter: @CollegesNI

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

STEM sells at NWRC FREE Courses...Fee Refunds...Awards & Aspirations

S

TEM disciplines have one thing in common…creativity - the ability to be innovative.

This is the case at North West Regional College where staff and students continue to prosper for their own good and that of the local economy.

From the collection of awards and accolades, to the work in supporting local employers, it has a proven track record for attracting a diverse range of students, and enjoys a healthy turnover of student progression onto higher learning and directly into employment.

The College has announced details of FREE tuition for all Mathematics for GCSE courses, and is offering tuition fee refunds to students who successfully complete certain part-time Level 4 and Level 5 STEM courses – see website for details. It is also allocating additional places to courses within the STEM areas, and encourages applications for its Foundation Degree and Higher National Diploma programmes in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Computing/Software Development, Medical and Applied Science, Construction and Civil Engineering.

During the last academic year, NWRC collected four major STEM awards at the annual Business & Education through Skills & education (BEST) Awards, while at the SkillBuild NI finals, the College won its fourth consecutive gold medal in the Electrical Installation category. Further recognition came when the Institution of Civil Engineers NI chose two NWRC students as recipients of the annual QUEST Technician Scholarships.

Three NWRC learners – Martin McLaughlin, Adrian Canning and William Falconer – have been selected to represent the United Kingdom in the WorldSkills finals next year in Sao Paolo Brazil, while College Lecturer David McCay has been selected as UK training manager for the Wall and Floor tiling section.

College Lecturers have also been collecting honours, Kevin McLaughlin was awarded a Medal of

PROFILE Elaine Bailey Software Engineering Stream, First Derivatives, Newry What does your job entail?

My work can change drastically from day to day. I am working as part of a Knowledge Transfer which will progress into application support. Currently I am leading UC4 application (a tool used for the scheduling of UNIX and Windows programs) and developing the training material for the team (creating software training videos, exams, assessments etc). I attend meetings with the client (onsite/through webEx) and weekly team meetings to discuss the project.

Would you say your type of IT is a good career?

Access Diploma in Science student Michelle O’Doherty hard at work in the College Labs Excellence by City and Guilds for outstanding teaching, while Kevin Murray was presented with the Best Training Provider Award at the Action Renewables Association Awards.

Employer engagement has been a growth area in the College STEM strategy. Recent events have featured expert contributions from leading names such as Barclays Bank, Allstate, Digital Derry, Seagate, Connected and Invest NI, more evidence of the depth of standing the College has in working with employers.

STEM at NWRC is where your journey to success can begin. Contact the College today www.nwrc.ac.uk/stem

I would safely say yes! My job gives me opportunities to work with many different people, offering a wide range of expertise. I have been given opportunities to work on different projects which has enabled me to find out what career path is right for me within IT. How does your type of work make the world a better place?

The achievement of modern technology has greatly facilitated people’s lives. As technology improves, life-saving medications become available and doctors have the tools to better diagnose patients.

Education is improving, lecturers use presentations, students use audio devices and iPads to take notes, making learning easier and more efficient. Working within the IT industry you notice how quickly technology is evolving even from a communication perspective, which now enables us to carryout workshops with clients on

the other side of the world.

Technology is evolving constantly bring bigger and better things.

What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

I am a Business Information Technology graduate from Queen’s University Belfast.

What do you really like about your job?

Within First Derivatives you are constantly learning as you are studying subjects outside of your degree, gaining more qualifications which is great opportunity. You have opportunities to travel and see the world while working.

Do you consider the future job prospects in your industry to be good?

One major benefit to working within the IT sector is the high employment rate, which usually offers more job prospects and incentives. IT jobs are fast moving with constant change, giving you opportunities to fast track your career.

Would you recommend this type of work to young people starting out on their career?

Most definitely. IT jobs offer a wide range of opportunities enabling you to work on many different types of projects all over the world.

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

Employment prospects STEM from Belfast Met W

ith a recent £60 million investment in cuttingedge facilities at the Titanic Quarter campus and e3 building, Belfast Met is well equipped to provide outstanding resources for students studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects such as Bioscience, IT, Renewables, Engineering and Manufacturing.

The Titanic Quarter campus has high specification science laboratories and instrument rooms and ICT classrooms equipped with the latest computing equipment and industry standard software packages. The e3 building on the Springvale campus is home to a hands-on, practical learning environment for the Foundation Degree in Building Services and Renewable Energies, has a state-of-the-art composite engineering facility and a dedicated Project Based Learning area where students work in an open-plan setting on employer-led projects. Additional manufacturing and engineering facilities are located at the Castlereagh and Millfield campuses.

Belfast Met offers a range of

Belfast Met’s full-time prospectus is available at www.belfastmet.ac.uk.

Apprentices aim higher in engineering with NRC U

STEM courses, from part-time, accredited courses to vocational further and higher education courses. These can lead to direct entry into the workplace or further study at university. A range of Access to University courses in Engineering, Maths and Computing, Computing, Business and Multimedia and Humanities and Social Science are suitable for individuals out of formal education for more than two years as a precursor to undertaking related STEM degree programmes.

These Access courses are a route for students to gain entry to a wide range of higher education courses. By working in partnership with the Department and employers Belfast Met is making an important contribution to the local STEM economy.

The college also works with over 400 companies to help make them more competitive and often combines hands-on experience at these companies with expert teaching. Large firms that Belfast Met has partnered with include Harland and Wolff, Bombardier, Deloitte and Fujitsu.

nder ApprenticeshipsNI NRC are offering a PILOT Higher Apprenticeship in Advanced Engineering. This programme has been designed to provide the manufacturing and engineering sector in Northern Ireland with high grade technicians and engineers who have practical skills combined with a higher education qualification.

The programme will facilitate progression for a Level 3 Apprenticeship and could also encourage future progression to Level 6 qualifications and enable apprentices to work towards Incorporated Engineer status. The employer will also receive an employer incentive depending on the age of the apprentice and the full attainment of the framework.

Depending on the competency based NVQ modules chosen, the framework covers a wide range of job roles in advanced manufacturing and engineering which broadly fit into the higher-level skills requirements for

Summer Code Camp at Belfast Met’s e3 building

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September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

differing sectors, however the pilot programme being offered

by DEL in Northern Ireland will follow the Engineering Manufacture or Engineering Maintenance routes for the moment.

The competence and knowledge qualifications in this framework contribute to general competence as measured in the Engineering Council’s UK specification and are endorsed by IMechE, IET and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).

If you have Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering, an Alevel profile (with STEM subjects) or equivalent qualifications, there may also be opportunities for you, should a company employ you as an apprentice, to further your career.

Over the course of the programme you will undertake the following alongside your employment: • Level 5 Foundation Degree in Engineering • NVQ 4 in Engineering Manufacture • NVQ 2 in Performing Engi-

neering Operations (subject to Accreditation of Prior Learning) • NVQ 3 in a subject specific to your role (subject to (subject to Accreditation of Prior Learning) The apprenticeship will consist of “off the job” training at college learning engineering practices in the workshop while starting the academic technical certificate. As you progress, you will develop your skills within your role in the company gaining experience and real hands-on knowledge through the expert teams based in the business while you continue your studies at college on a day-release basis.

Companies currently participating in the pilot programme include AES, Ballyrashane Creamery, Michelin, Schrader Electronics, McAuley Engineering and Hutchinson Engineering.

If you are interested in finding out more about the pilot programme please contact Sean McAleese or a member of the Advanced Engineering team on 028 2565 2871 or email info@nrc.ac.uk

ager Computing), Bill Montgomery (Curriculum Man Patrick Wallace and ) urer Lect Tara Millar (Science & Science) at the (Curriculum Manager, Engineering on Degrees at dati Foun STEM new the of ch laun NRC’s Newtownabbey campus

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

Mark Ballantine CDE Global Graduate Project Design Engineer

Ronan Harkin CDE Global Graduate Project Design Engineer

• Can you describe a typical working day?

I am involved in designing machinery used primarily in the mining and material processing sectors. A typical work day consists of spending 90% of my time designing for live projects using Computer-aided Design (CAD) software.

This includes a wide variety of designed items, such as modular wash plants, plant access walkways and custom pipework to name a few.

Designers also manage project Bill of Materials (BOMs) and ensure that all fabricated parts are ready for assembly in the factory on time. We are responsible for co-ordinating many different departments internally and also suppliers and fabricators externally.

Having a good understanding of how plants are assembled is crucial to my job as how I design can impact not only the part costs but also assembly times.

Regular communication with co-workers in the factory about live project assembly is a crucial way to see how things can be improved.

• Can you describe a typical working day?

A typical day as a Project Design Engineer can involve ordering parts/components for the manufacture of standard machinery and also designing any nonstandard parts for on-going projects.

I am responsible for developing standard products by implementing improved designs and processes. I also provide technical assistance to fabrication and assembly teams during the manufacture of any machines in whose design process I was involved.

• Is mechanical engineering a good career choice?

Yes, there are a wide range of applications where this career can be applied, providing endless opportunities for development as an engineer.

• How does mechanical engineering make the world a better place?

I am evolved in designing machinery that will be used to wash raw aggregate material. By designing more efficient machinery we can reduce the amount of the world’s raw material that is lost/wasted during the washing process. At CDE we also provide a range of recycling equipment that can be used to reduce the amount of waste aggregate material being sent to landfill sites.

• What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

I studied Maths, Physics and Technology for A-Level and then completed a Masters in Mechanical Engineering.

• What do you most enjoy about your job?

I like the problem solving aspect of my job, having the freedom to be creative and find a solution to the problem. I also like the ‘physical-ness’ of it — what I design virtually actually becomes a real physical thing, something I can go and see and touch.

Also as a young boy I enjoyed playing with toys of big machines, now I get to design big machines!

• Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry?

Hopefully as the Government continues to recognise that many of the more stable economies have a strong stable foundation based on manufacturing and production with an emphasis on export markets, the future looks bright.

The future of the heavy engineering sector will hopefully continue to grow as global economies grow and create demand for updated infrastructures which requires raw materials etc.

Also if we can encourage more young people to pursue engineering we can have a larger pool of talent within the sector and hence stay ahead in regards to innovation and excellence in what is a globally competitive industry.

Mark Ballantine (left) and Ronan Harkin, of CDE Global. The company has its global headquarters in Cookstown, County Tyrone. It also has offices in • Would you recommend mechanical engineering as a career?

India, the USA and Brazil. It makes equipment for Absolutely, the broad but yet foundational skills that are learnt will serve you the construction and recycling, mining, specialist well in many job sectors even those outside engineering due to their industrial sands and environmental sectors transferability.

PROFILE Clare Johnston Senior CI Engineer, Terex, Omagh Can you describe a typical working day?

Every day for me is varied. I facilitate training sessions in Lean principles, problem solving techniques, behavioural based safety and in supervisory skills. I organise and run team Kaizen events as well as coaching other team members to run their own Kaizen events in any area of the business where we see potential improvement opportunities. Spending time on the shop floor increases my awareness of day to day production activities and allows me to communicate with other team members.

Would you say that you have a good career?

It would be easy to list all the benefits Terex offer their team members such as Westfield Healthcare benefits, life assurance, Perks card, local gym discounts, bike to work scheme, employee share scheme, but some of the main benefits are in my opinion the training and development opportunities offered.

Terex encourages everyone to further develop themselves through offering Foundation degrees in Engineering and also Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) courses, in conjunction with South West College. I completed Level 5 myself last year.

Do you think your type of work makes a positive contribution to the wider world?

Lean Manufacturing Principles ensure that unnecessary wastes and therefore costs are eliminated or reduced. Terex Omagh crushers are used during construction of infrastructure around the world, including some well-known projects such as the Rio de Janeiro World Cup 2014 and Olympic 2016 stadiums. They are used in all sorts of demolition recycling such as in the aftermath of natural disasters for clean-up operations and have even been

• What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

After completing my Leaving Certificate at school I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ulster at BEng Level. I later transferred onto the MEng Mechanical Engineering Degree where I studied at both the University of Ulster and the Augsburg University of Applied Sciences.

After completing that degree I was offered employment at CDE Global as a Graduate Project Design Engineer.

• What do youlike about your job?

What I like most about my job is the wide range of activities that I am involved in, ranging from detailed design projects to providing assistance to the manufacturing team on the shop floor. I am also gifted with great opportunities to travel on site visits across the world.

• Can you say anything about the future job prospects in your industry?

From my experience of work in a mechanical engineering field I see continual growth in the industry which is in turn leading to a high demand for qualified mechanical engineers worldwide.

• Would you recommend mechanical engineering?

I would highly recommend mechanical engineering. There are a wide range of industries where mechanical engineering can be applied which provides good opportunities for employment and travel.

PROFILE used to destroy illegal ivory, seized by the US government increasing awareness of conservation efforts.

What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

With some encouragement from an astute careers teacher in Loreto Grammar School Omagh, I enrolled in the University of Ulster, to study BEng (Hons) Manufacturing Systems Management with a Diploma in Industrial Studies to be gained through a placement year in Industry. (I believe this degree is now named Engineering Management.) My placement year was with a small manufacturing company producing heavy machinery. I was offered a permanent position as Assistant Production Manager upon graduation and soon after, Production Manager.

After a stint abroad, I applied for a Manufacturing Engineer position in Terex. I started on the Omagh site in October 2010, progressed to Senior Manufacturing Engineer in 2011 and to my current role in 2013.

What do you really like about your job?

My job is so varied, it allows me the opportunity to get involved in numerous aspects of the business.

This means it is always really interesting and I am always learning new things. I have also been fortunate enough to travel to various other Terex sites in Europe and in North America, which has been very inspiring and worthwhile Would you recommend engineering to young people starting out on their career?

Absolutely! An Engineering degree will open doors for people. Forget any traditional notion you have of what an Engineer is and recognise the incredible diversity of people and roles accessible to you.

Barry McNeill System administrator Kilwaughter Chemical Co. Can you describe a typical working day?

An average day in the life of a system administrator involves balancing a number of routine maintenance tasks with diagnosing problems reported by network users.

The system administrator will update systems, applications and maintain databases on a regular basis. Responding to emails or calls from network users looking for technical assistance for a range of issues from accessing the internet to the company database. Often I find myself visiting the network user’s workstation to diagnose the problem and determine if the cause is an issue with the database, an application or the network. When new employees join the company, the system administrator is responsible for assigning network and database privileges to the individual, setting up their login information and delivering training on user best practice.

I am also responsible for setting up the database back ups at the end of the working day, this is a safety measure in the event of server or hard drive failure, the data can be restored and it doesn’t interrupt the company’s operations.

marketplace.

Without a well maintained IT system the company would not be able to manufacture efficiently.

What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

My educational route to this post started with a BTEC IT Practitioners course at NRC Newtownabbey.

This course helped me to get in to University of Ulster Jordanstown to complete a Hons degree in Computer Science.

What do you really like about your job?

The best thing about being a Systems Administrator is the variety of projects. The role carries a greater level of responsibility and the experiences I have been exposed to at Kilwaughter have been second to none. On a day when you solve a major system issue or diagnose a system fault you feel a sense of achievement with a job well done.

Would you say that IT represents a good career?

Systems Administrator is a great career to get in to as you face a different challenge every day. As technologies develop, so does my knowledge, so you find yourself constantly adapting and learning new things.

Are you optimistic about the future job prospects in your industry?

The IT industry is one of the biggest and fastest growing industries. Northern Ireland is attracting business from the major IT organisations due to its high level of IT graduates.

Many businesses like Kilwaughter are willing to invest in their IT resources, recognising that efficient IT systems can create a competitive edge in the marketplace.

Does your type of work play an important role in the company?

IT is always operating behind the scenes in every department, ensuring Kilwaughter delivers the high level of service it is renowned for in the

Would you recommend Information Technology to young people starting out on their career?

I would definitely recommend IT to young people that are starting out on their career as Northern Ireland has one of the most thriving IT industries.

September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

Women in the driving seat Lauren Cross Quality Assurance Engineer, NACCO Materials Handling Ltd, Craigavon • Can you describe a typical working day?

My everyday concerns are assigning and implementing nonconformance corrective actions out to other members in the plant, investigating faults and keeping high level employees abreast of quality issues and what is in place to overcome them. I review quality issues reported by our dealers from the previous day at the production meeting. This is where I brief managers on any non-conformances that have left the plant without being noticed, what corrective actions are in place to ensure the issue is contained and resolved.

• Is engineering a good career?

Yes, I am lucky to work for a company which encourages personal development and have schemes in place to teach new skills. I face many issues in a day and learn many new things every day.

I can rely on the fact that every day will be different. I enjoy working here because everyone is focused on continuous improvement and looks to develop our product so that we can maintain a world class standard.

• What has been your educational/

professional route to this post?

I studied to A-Levels at Assumption Grammar, Ballynahinch and then went on to Queen’s University, Belfast where I achieved a MEng Hons degree in Product Design and Development, including a short time in Chalmers University, Gothenburg, Sweden.

From University I was able to find a job through the Parity scheme which works in conjunction with the University of Ulster.

This scheme allowed me to be placed in a company under a 6 month contract and also do a post graduate diploma in management practices.

I was placed with NMHG, Craigavon, as a Quality Assurance Engineer, and I also worked for an Antrim based company competing in the automotive sector, as a Supplier Quality Engineer, which I enjoyed. After five months I became aware of a permanent position in the Quality Department and a further month later I was back in NMHG.

field, in Northern Ireland.

• Would you recommend quality engineering to young people?

When studying it is hard to get a true representation of Quality engineering. It is hard to believe how much more interesting it is when you get to view examples first hand inside a manufacturing plant.

Rachel Herron Product Engineer NACCO Materials Handling Ltd, Craigavon • Can you describe a typical working day?

I work within the Product Design Engineering department. My day includes a lot of communication with other departments in the

• What do you enjoy about your job?

The things I like the most about my job is the amount I learn each day and the people I work with.

• What about future job prospects?

I believe the prospects are good within engineering; many friends who studied with me have been able to find a job in their chosen

Rachel Herron (left) and Lauren Cross, of NACCO

company and suppliers; an example of this includes sending drawings to procurement or working directly with suppliers to get costing and delivery dates.

I investigate problems with production and implement solutions to get production running when an issue arises. This will then be followed by the documentation and model updates.

I have recently become involved with introduction of new products. This involves getting an early look at design changes, advising how they will impact on the current production and ensuring a smooth product introduction without any design related problems. I also attend quality improvement and production meetings with representatives from other departments.

• Would you say engineering represents a good career?

Yes, I enjoy my role within the company as it offers a different challenge every day and gives great job satisfaction. Although the manufacturing sector was hit hard during the recession I was lucky enough to finish university and go straight into work. My first job wasn’t ideal for me in terms of location or didn’t meet salary expectations but after gaining a few years’ experience I am now with a company which offers good career progression

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and continuous professional development.

• What has been your educational/ professional route to this post?

I completed my A-levels & AVCE at Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar school and went to the University of Ulster, Jordanstown to complete an Honours Degree in Technology & Design. During this time I also completed a Placement Year with an engineering consultancy in Belfast.

After graduating I worked for two and a half years in the Heavy manufacturing sector which is so popular in County Tyrone. I was fortunate that the company participated in an Intertrade Ireland Fusion project with Dundalk Institute of Technology.

This facilitated knowledge transfer between the company and college.

As part of the project I completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Management Practice at Michael Smurfit Business School, University College Dublin.

NACCO are very supportive with Professional registration and I gained Incorporated Engineer status with the iMechE. • Would you recommend engineering to young people starting out on their career?

Yes, I find it a very rewarding career and would highly recommend young people go into Engineering.

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Belfast Telegraph September 16 2014

September 16 2014 Belfast Telegraph

Ryobi planning for growth

Plastics — still a fantastic career choice POLYMER PROCESSING RESEARCH CENTRE BREAKING THE MOULD IN IMPROVING RAW MATERIALS

W

ith an annual turnover of £1.7 billion and employing some 8,000 people, the plastics industry in Northern Ireland is part of a European wide industry employing over 1.4 million people generating a turnover in excess of 300 billion Euros per year (source Northern Ireland Polymers and Plastics Europe).

Plastics are now an essential part of our modern world and have wide spread applications including in packaging, construction,

aerospace and automotive, electrical and electronic

components, agriculture and healthcare. Plastics play an increasingly important role in everyday life and are used in place of many traditional materials, such as metals, not simply through cost savings but because they offer significant performance improvements.

The Polymer Processing Research Centre (PPRC), a local research centre plays a global role in ensuring plastic continues to add technical, economic and societal value through its work on the development and improvement of plastic raw materials and in how they are processed and managed throughout their lifecycle. The PPRC, in the School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB), works with companies across the world to develop new materials and improve manufacturing processes that see plastics employed in increasingly innovative and novel products.

As well as working with international companies, the PPRC works closely with many of the NI leading employers and innovative companies, which include: Brett Martin, manufacturers of specialist plastic sheets, rooflights and drainage systems, Denroy Plas-

tics Ltd, designers and manufacturers of plastics components and assemblies to a broad spectrum of businesses including the aerospace industry and Canyon manufacturer of trigger sprayers and pumps.

The local plastics industry is a tremendously vibrant and growing sector of the NI economy with various routes to employment including Honours degree programmes in Mechanical Engineering and Product Design Engineering at QUB where students have the opportunity to develop their key transferable skills and gain invaluable expertise and experience in polymer processing and characterisation techniques through active participation on industrially relevant projects in the state-of-the-art PPRC facilities. For further information on the degree programmes at QUB leading to employment in the plastics industry please visit www.qub.ac.uk/mechaero or telephone 028 9097 4147.

Alternative routes to employment include apprenticeships, foundation degrees and vocational qualifications. For further information on these please visit the local trade association, NIPA, website www.polymersni.com.

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yobi Aluminium Casting (UK) Ltd manufactures and supplies aluminium die castings to the automotive industry in Europe. In February 2014, we announced plans to invest £32million in our Carrickfergus plant, and to create 100 new jobs. This major investment is being supported

by Invest Northern Ireland, which has offered over £2 million of assistance, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Ryobi employs over 350 employees in a range of roles, including: • Production: working in the machining, melt, die cast and finish teams • Technicians: production, quality, maintenance • Engineers: quality, design, manufacturing, process and projects • Support: roles that support manufacturing and engineering: finance, sales, materials, logistics, human resources and IT. With significant growth planned over the next five years, we recognize our success depends on dedicated, talented people, and we are fully committed to ensuring that we attract, develop and retain high calibre individuals to meet the future demands of the market and our customers.

This September, we welcomed

Apprentice of the Year Gareth Harkness is congratulated by Employment Minister Dr Stephen Farry and awards ceremony host Claire McCollum nine new entrants to our apprenticeship programme, bringing the total number of apprentices to over 30.

A new apprentice will have at least 4 GCSEs, including English, Maths and Science, or may have completed AS, A levels or a Level III qualification at college.

With support from the Department of Employment and Learning and our training provider, Northern Region College, we offer a flexible programme to attain a BTEC

Level 3 Diploma, an HNC or HND in engineering, or a foundation degree.

The programme lasts up to four years and, on completion, apprentices will also have achieved an NVQ Level 3 in engineering, and developed the necessary skills and knowledge to prepare them for their future career within engineering.

We are proud of Gareth Harkness, a third year engineering apprentice who was named Apprentice of the Year 2014 at an awards ceremony at

Hillsborough Castle organised by the Department for Employment and Learning.

Ryobi offers opportunities for graduates and experienced engineers in the areas of manufacturing and process engineering, design engineering, quality engineering and maintenance. Since 2006, we have worked in collaboration with the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s University to investigate methods to reduce the overall manufacturing cost

of each of our castings and to reduce the energy required to produce each casting.

Ryobi continues to support the development of employees through the personal development programme, and opportunities exist for those who wish to continue their education. This year an engineer, who joined Ryobi as an apprentice, completed a Master’s degree in Advanced Materials at the University of Ulster, and several others are commencing a part-time engineering degree programme this September.

At Ryobi, individuals can embark on a career in a dynamic, innovative environment, where technology, trust and challenge are at the core of the corporate philosophy.

For further information please visit http://www.ryobi.co.uk

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