In August, TotalMobile announced involvement and support for a new training scheme developed by government departments and top IT companies to steer non-IT graduates towards hi-tech jobs. The Software Testers Academy was founded to address the skills deficit for Quality Assessment jobs in software. 

The 20 graduates on the course have now completed the classroom based portion of the course. TotalMobile was pleased to contribute to the teaching of the programme. TotalMobile Software Tester Jonathan McKnight was one of a number of industry professionals who presented a guest lecture at SERC. 

This week the students from the course have embarked upon a 6 week work placement. Nicholas Graham has joined the TotalMobile team to gain hands-on software testing experience.. Nicholas, who is a graduate of Architecture, said “I’m finding placement at TotalMobile really enjoyable and challenging. Having come from a non-IT background I was slightly apprehensive about what I would be able to contribute to the team but so far everyone has been really positive and helpful, and hopefully I’ll be able to get up to speed sooner rather than later!”

TotalMobile’s involvement with the Software Testers’ Academy is another example of the on-going commitment to shaping the future of Northern Ireland’s IT workforce. CTO Gareth Tolerton said “Nurturing emerging talent in the Northern Ireland software sector is instrumental to the future of TotalMobile. Having the best people for the job is what has led us to where we are today.”