Lyons announces 20 high quality training places on Assured Skills Academy with Version 1

Date published: 29 September 2021

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons today announced 20 training places on a new Assured Skills Academy with IT services provider Version 1.

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons
Economy Minister Gordon Lyons

Successful applicants to the Assured Skills Academy will receive eight weeks of industry-relevant pre-employment training at Belfast Met. Completing the Academy guarantees an interview for a role with Version 1 in Belfast.

The Assured Skills Academy is the second in a series of six following the announcement in June that the company is creating 180 jobs.

The Minister said:

“I am very pleased to announce this Assured Skills Academy with Version 1 and Belfast Met. Twenty people will receive high quality training that positions them strongly for a post in the dynamic local IT services sector.

“Version 1 provides IT services for a wide range of global brands, and to do so the company needs people with specialist skills. My Department’s Assured Skills Academies have a track record of equipping participants with the skills employers need in order to flourish and grow, and this has been particularly true in the digital and tech fields.

“The jobs on offer are high quality, well paid roles and I urge anyone who is interested and eligible to apply for these Assured Skills Academies at Belfast Met.”

Lorna McAdoo, Director of Operations Version 1 NI, said:

“This is our second Assured Skills Academy following on from the hugely successful Academy earlier this year. These Assured Skills Academies will continue to run over the next two years and represent our ongoing commitment to Northern Ireland and our ambition to be one of the most successful IT companies here. Investment in local tech and IT talent who can help our customers accelerate their digital transformation is paramount to this ambition.”

Participants in the Version 1 Assured Skills Academies will study areas including Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, Cyber Security, Software Testing, Design Thinking and MTA Software Programming Using Java.

Experience is not required but applicants must hold at least a 2:2 degree in any discipline, or a level 5 qualification in an ICT or STEM Subject.  

Louise Warde Hunter, Principal and Chief Executive of Belfast Met, said:

“Belfast Met is delighted to be delivering training for this series of Assured Skills Academies in partnership with DfE and Version 1. Participants receive the most up-to-date, industry-relevant training in this growing sector, equipping them to gain employment after completing the course.

“This is a significant investment in future skills that will enable Academy graduates to access high quality, well paid jobs, and we look forward to welcoming our first cohort of learners.”

Applications for the second Version 1 Assured Skills Academy are open now and close at 5pm on Wednesday 20 October. Training for successful applicants will run from Monday 22 November 2021 to Monday 31 January 2022 with a two-week Christmas break.

For more information and to apply, visit: nidirect Assured Skills website

Notes to editors: 

  1. More information on Version 1 is available at Version 1 website
  2. Assured Skills is a pre-employment training programme run by the Department for the Economy. More information on Assured Skills is available at DfE Assured Skills website
  3. Follow us on Twitter @Economy_NI  
  4. For media enquiries contact the Department for the Economy Press Office at pressoffice@economy-ni.gov.uk .
  5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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