Students conferred with Data Centre Technician qualification at TU Dublin Tallaght

TWENTY-FIVE people were conferred with a Data Centre Technician qualification at the Technological University (TU) Tallaght on Thursday, March 14.

“Because of the pandemic, there were graduates from a few of the years, from the end of 2019 until last year,” said Art Ó Coileáin, co-ordinator and lecturer on the programme.

Due to the time delay and the fact that some graduates are working in data centres all over Europe and further afield, not everyone was available to attend.

Applicants to the course have come from a diverse set of backgrounds.

“You could have anything from taxi-drivers to mechanics,” said Art.

Entry to the course is based on an interview and assessment.

“It’s also based on what they can bring in terms of their life skills,” said Art.

A further attraction of the programme is that participants will be able to avail of work experience with Amazon Web Services (AWS), who also sponsor 20 scholarships on the programme, which would otherwise cost €3,000.

“It’s a significant investment by Amazon in the programme.

“These are fully paid 14-week placements, it opens doors for further opportunities if graduates want to continue on that career progression,” said Art.

The course will provide graduates with a diverse range of skills in preparation for working in data centres including day-to-day activities, networking skills and server maintenance.

“Graduates will be technically competent, problem solvers, can work under pressure and can deal with different technical scenarios.

“Communication is also important,” said Art.

An additional attraction to the course is that it lasts just one academic year from September to May.

“It is a short, concentrated course, it is part-time in the evenings, people can still work in their jobs until the work placement,” said Art.

The programme is community centric in nature.

“We are trying to attract local people onto the programme, the work placement is in this vicinity, but people from further afield can also apply,” said Art.

TU Dublin is currently taking applications to the programme and Art is encouraging prospective applicants to get their applications in early.

“If you get in early, you have a good chance of getting a place.

“Anybody can apply, we would expect basic Maths and English,” said Art.

Learn more about TU Dublin Tallaght HERE.