Seven IT-focused summer courses have been devised by the College of Computer Training (CCT) in Dublin to give secondary school students a taste of further education in this area and the job opportunities that can lead to.

Classes in programming, networking, web design, gaming and operating systems will take place at CCT on Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, from 15 July to 31 August. The courses are completely free of charge and each programme will last between two and three weeks with four half-days of tuition per week.

About 300 places will be available and participants will receive MTA component certificate awards on completion. Interested students can enrol online.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to gain some foundation knowledge and skills within ICT which will provide a substantial platform for higher-level ICT or related programmes and careers,” said Neil Gallagher, CCT college director.

The courses will focus on real-world, practical uses of technology and are best suited to intermediate-level students.

The summer classes are supported by Microsoft and Fastrack to IT (FIT), which last week released its ICT Skills Audit, pinpointing immediate vacancies in the tech sector and the skills needed to fill them.

“It would be an added bonus if many of the 300 participants went on to enjoyable careers in the IT industry, where job opportunities are, and look set to continue to be very plentiful,” said Dr Kevin Marshall, head of education at Microsoft Ireland. “The IT sector is a fascinating industry to work in, and these practical courses are designed to reflect that and provide students with an overview of what a job in the industry could involve.”

Earlier this year, FIT teamed up with Microsoft on a Youth2Work training and development programme targeting those aged 18 to 25.

Typing on laptop image via Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock