Get a head start in your career with Kainos' 'Earn as you Learn' scheme

Date posted
5 November 2018
Reading time
6 Minutes

Get a head start in your career with Kainos' 'Earn as you Learn' scheme

Kainos, a leading provider of digital services and platforms and a Sunday Times Top 100 Company, is now taking applications for its 2019 'Earn as you Learn' scheme. The Belfast-headquartered tech company announced that the scheme is now open for entry to anyone studying STEM subjects who wants to start their career in IT, either straight from school or from a different career path. Kainos will fund a Computing Systems degree for each successful applicant and pay them a competitive salary, as well as providing book and study allowances. Conor McCourt, a Software Engineer and current Earn as you Learn apprentice, said: 'Being in the thick of the action and getting solid industry experience is a great way for me to learn. I'm better equipped to handle the demands of the working world and I've got a few years head start in the industry.' Besides getting support from his lecturers, he has also sought advice from his team at Kainos. "At University, you learn the theory," he said. "But at work, you put that learning to use. It's a really innovative environment here and the training, support and mentorship Kainos provides is brilliant! 'And the fact that I will graduate without any student loans was a massive incentive for me to apply for Earn as you Learn.' The scheme is delivered in partnership with Ulster University. Participants join Kainos as Apprentice Software Engineers, with one day each week dedicated to part-time study for a Degree in Computing Systems. Those selected for the programme graduate with a degree, with no debt and invaluable, on-the-job experience. Brendan Mooney, Kainos' CEO said of the scheme 'Earn as you Learn is a fantastic way to get the best of both worlds - exposure to the workplace, on real projects with high-profile clients, while getting an education at the same time. "The pace of technological change is faster than ever," he said. "So, anyone who can obtain both industry experience and an education at the same time, will have the advantage. They get to apply what they have learned in university and also get a head start in their career. 'At Kainos we pride ourselves on our determination to nurture and invest in the talent of the future and are committed to broadening access and offering different routes to school leavers from different backgrounds.' The Earn as you Learn apprenticeship is part of Kainos Academy, along with the company's annual A.I.Camp and CodeCamp initiatives, all of which are delivered in an effort to find talented young people and help them fulfil their potential through world-class training and mentoring. Kainos Academy was launched in 2011 to tackle the tech industry's digital skills gap, and since then has grown in scale and ambition to become an industry leading training and career development programme. Students are encouraged to meet with Kainos' Apprentice Software Engineers at the upcoming Skills Northern Ireland (NI) event where they'll be on-stand to share their experiences and insights with attendees. Skills NI takes place in the Titanic Exhibition Centre on 7th and 8th November. Apply for the role here.