Working Life

The FIT ICT Associate Professional programme offers technical education and training grounded in practical experience, ensuring that participants are ready for work on completion. The FIT ICT Associate Professional Programme will: 

• Develop in-demand tech skills.
• Provide hands-on learning to attain the skills demanded by industry.
• Provide an opportunity to earn and learn.
• Award a national qualification over a two-year period.
• Equip participants with the knowledge and capabilities to progress in ICT careers.
• Lead to internationally recognised qualifications.
• Provide the opportunity to apply theoretical education and training in a real work setting helping to build confidence in your abilities and gain independence.

A FIT ICT Associate Professional spends much of their time training with a company, helping them to effectively learn the skills needed in the work place using modern technology and equipment and getting involved in real-life work processes.

On successful completion, the ICT Associate Professional Software Developer will have:

Knowledge

• Understand and operate at all stages of the software development lifecycle
• Understand the similarities and differences (taking into account positives and negatives of both approaches) between agile and waterfall software development methodologies
• Understand how teams work effectively to produce software and contribute appropriately
• Understand and apply software design approaches and patterns and can interpret and implement a given design, compliant with security and maintainability requirements
• Understand and respond to the business environment and business issues related to software development
• Understand and operate effectively in their own businesses, their customers’ and the industry’s environments
• Understand and apply the maths required to be a software developer (e.g. algorithms, logic and data structures)

Skills

• Writes good quality code (logic) with sound syntax in at least one language
• Develops effective user interfaces
• Can effectively link code to the database/data sets
• Can test code and analyse results to correct errors found using either V-model manual testing and/or using unit testing
• Can apply structured techniques to problem-solving, can debug code and can understand the structure of programmes in order to identify and resolve issues
• Creates functional data models and software designs to effectively communicate their understanding of the program, following best practices and standards
• Understands and creates basic analysis artefacts, such as user cases and/or user stories
• Utilises skills to build, manage and deploy code into enterprise environments
• Operates at all stages of the software development lifecycle, with increasing breadth and depth over time with an initial focus on build and test.
• Can apply good practice approaches according to the relevant paradigm (for example object oriented, event driven or procedural)
• Interprets and follows: software designs and functional/technical specifications; company defined ‘coding standards’ or industry good practice for coding; testing frameworks and methodologies; company, team or client approaches to continuous integration, version and source control.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

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