Businesses invited to develop digital products for free through webelevate programme

27-09-12

Businesses invited to develop digital products for free through webelevate programme

Businesses interested in joining the ranks of over 40 leading national and multi-national companies including BT Ireland, Telefonica Ireland, Oracle, Pigsback.com and Gill & MacMillan, who have developed a range of mobile apps, online games, social media campaigns and online videos for FREE through Digital Skills Academy's innovative WebElevate Programme are invited to attend the WebElevate Showcase Event on Wednesday, 3rd October.

The guest of honour at the event will be President of the European Parliament, Mr. Martin Schulz, who is visiting Digital Skills Academy, as part of a three-day visit to Ireland relating to Ireland's presidency of the European Union.

The WebElevate event will showcase the talents of the graduates of the WebElevate programme, an innovative level 8 digital technology programme, delivered by Digital Skills Academy with Dublin Institute of Technology as the awarding body.

On exhibition will be an exciting range of mobile apps, websites, online videos and social media campaigns developed through the WebElevate programme for industry partners including; BT Ireland, Electric Ireland, Oracle, Telefonica Ireland, Digiweb, Pigsback.com, Gill & Macmillan, The Educational Company of Ireland, Allianz, and many more.

The event is also open to companies who are looking to hire talented graduates who have re-skilled in mobile application development, project management, digital marketing and digital content development and have previous professional experience. Being a HEA (Higher Education Authority) Springboard funded-programme, employers can avail of an Employer PRSI exemption, when hiring eligible graduates.

The WebElevate programme develops talent for employment roles in the digital technology and digital gaming sectors, where there is strong jobs growth; over 5,000 jobs have been announced in these sectors since the start of the year. Designed to reflect a real working environment, WebElevate also supports companies develop new digital innovations by providing access to the talents of a dynamic group of professionals who are re-skilling in in-demand digital technology skills.

Paul Dunne, CEO of Digital Skills Academy said “Our focus is on moving people from sectors that have been worst hit by the recession by reskilling participants for employment in the digital sectors, where there will be continued jobs growth. At the same time the WebElevate programme provides an environment for companies to experiment and bring new ideas to fruition. Digital innovation in companies is vital, as it has the potential to be a major horizontal driver of economic growth across many sectors; delivering job creation and economic recovery. Companies that will thrive in this new digital age are those that adapt and innovate now.”

WebElevate partner companies are each allocated a multi-disciplinary team, providing over 2,000 man hours to research and develop their product, under the guidance of Digital Skills Academy's industry experts. All intellectual property rights of the digital innovation and profits from same will remain with the companies. The programme particularly welcomes partnering with companies who have the potential to deliver employment opportunities for WebElevate graduates.

Companies interested in attending the WebElevate Showcase Event are asked to register at www.digitalskillsacademy.com/invite

The WebElevate Showcase Event will be held on Wednesday, 3rd October at 3pm at Digital Skills Academy, Digital Exchange, Crane Street, The Digital Hub, Dublin 8.

About Digital Skills Academy

Founded in 2008 by educator and entrepreneur Paul Dunne, Digital Skills Academy, based at The Digital Hub, is the innovative provider of digital industry-linked programmes in higher and further education & training.

Developing talent for the 21st Century digital workplace, the Academy’s digital technology programmes are designed to support participants to take advantage of employment opportunities in the Irish technology sector – in excess of 2,500 jobs are currently unfilled in the digital and gaming industries in Ireland. The aim of the programmes is to move people back into the labour market by equipping them with the skills that are now in demand.

Programmes are delivered by industry professionals in modules including Mobile & Web Application Development, Online Game Development, Digital Marketing & Social Media, Project Management for Digital Businesses, Graphics & Animation for Web & Mobile, and Web Video Production.

Digital Skills Academy delivers its digital content and technology programmes in state-of-the-art facilities at The Digital Hub in Dublin, and in partner centres around the country.