Datapac supports future Irish workforce with landmark intern programme

Aug. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Dublin, 08 August 2012 - Datapac, Ireland’s largest indigenous ICT solutions provider, today announced that it has recruited its 100th work placement student, a new landmark for the company. This milestone underscores Datapac’s commitment to supporting further education and developing the skills of young Irish undergraduates and graduates as they embark on their careers in an increasingly competitive work environment.

Datapac’s investment for 2012 in its paid-for placement programme will be €145,000, with more than €1M invested in total since the programme began.

Datapac began its work placement programme in 2004 and has established strong links with third level institutions around Ireland including Waterford IT, DCU, NUIG, UCC and NUI Maynooth. This year, 13 students and graduates have been recruited onto the programme and this includes Gavin Downey, a multimedia student from Waterford IT, who becomes Datapac’s 100th work placement student.

The Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD said “I wish to congratulate Datapac on its successful work placement programme, which offers students and graduates the opportunity to learn new and enterprising skills that will give them valuable experience to enter the workforce and secure long term employment.  I wish all the interns well.”

Datapac provides information technologies, business solutions and IT consumables to businesses throughout Ireland. It has partnerships with some of the world’s largest technology companies including HP, Cisco and Microsoft.  As an ICT solutions provider, students gain experience across a wide spectrum of areas, including IT architecture, customer service, sales and marketing.

Dr. Thomas O’Toole, head of the school of business, at Waterford IT commented, “Datapac has been a great supporter of our students and it is fantastic to hear that it will be taking on board its 100th workplace student this year. Work placement plays a vital role in third level education as it gives the students access to the real business world, enabling them to apply their learning. It also gives them a strong base from which to enter the jobs market when they complete their studies.”

Over the eight years of the programme, a number of students have been invited back as full-time employees of Datapac, further emphasising the benefit of these programmes to students and the company’s themselves.

Shane Molloy, network engineer with the professional services team at Datapac and former work placement student, commented on the programme, “Many Irish students come straight out of college, into what is now a highly competitive job market, with no real work experience. The Datapac programme gave me the opportunity to apply all the theory I was studying and put it into practice. I have been working with Datapac for six years now and I am still grateful for the work placement programme, as it not only introduced me to my future employer but provided me with the rounded experience I needed to be a fully qualified IT professional.”

Karen O’Connor, general manager service delivery, Datapac said, “As an Irish company we are aware of the need for more skilled Irish professionals, particularly in the IT industry. We began this programme to give something back to the local communities in which we operate and found it to be extremely successful for both Datapac and the students. We are fully committed to continuing to grow this programme over the coming years.

“The talent of some of the students coming through our third level colleges is very exciting and we have been delighted to be able to offer some of these exceptional individuals full-time employment. They have repaid us by becoming some of our greatest assets over the years.”

Any student wishing to apply for the Datapac Work Placement or Graduate Placement Programmes can contact: careers@datapac.com.