MAJOR local employer, the BGL Group, has launched a new Microsoft .Net IT Academy aimed at training and equipping employees with valuable IT skills.

As part of the launch, BGL will employ six people in their new Microsoft .Net IT Academy, which will involve successful applicants spending 12 weeks in classroom-based training, before formally beginning their new roles as Trainee Web Developers.

More than 360 people work in IT across the BGL Group, and the new recruits will be involved in building and developing web applications on behalf of a number of leading household name insurance brands. Other recent BGL IT Academy schemes have successfully trained 21 people in other technologies, including Microsoft SharePoint and IBM System i programming, which are also used by BGL in the development of a wide range of IT solutions to meet constantly growing business requirements.

Ian Leech, chief financial officer of the BGL Group said, “IT delivers real business advantage through innovative services and solutions and is pivotal to the ongoing success of the BGL Group. Continued investment in initiatives such as the new .Net IT Academy will help position us for future growth. Skills in .Net are in great demand within the company – with all of our websites and customer journeys moving to .Net platforms – so to have in-house, highly trained employees in this area is becoming increasingly important.”

Jo Addington, senior HR manager, said, “The IT Academy is a unique opportunity for people with a passion for a career in IT who are either just starting out or are looking for a completely new career path. Previous IT experience is not necessarily required, however successful trainees will have a natural aptitude for logical thinking as well as a keen desire to work towards a career in IT. Working in IT can be extremely rewarding but does involve a commitment to life long learning – with technology constantly evolving.”