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FIT ICTAP Software Development or Springboard route

  • 22-02-2018 11:32am
    #1
    marvin2k
    Registered Users Posts: 124 ✭✭


    Hi ,

    Just looking for opinions here.

    I want to do either a FIT ICTAP apprenticeship in Software Development or a Springboard software development conversion course(have an undergrad already).

    There are things that are appealing about both routes.

    The FIT ICTAP is 6 months college then 18 months of 3-4 days paid work placement with a sponsor company a week and 1-2 days college. Leaving cert needed then selection is based on an aptitude test and interview with a sponsor company.

    The Springboard route is a 9 month academic year in college and then a 3-6 month unpaid internship.

    I imagine the Fit route is more of a guarantee of a job as you will be embedded with a company for 18 months but the conversion courses boast a high employment rate too.

    The springboard courses get you a level 8 higher diploma in Software development but the Fit Ictap earns you the following;

    "1st year - Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 5, Professional Competence Award AP1 2nd year - Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 6, Professional Competence Award AP2"

    So lets say money and time commitment aside , which course do people think would be more beneficial , the higher level springboard or the lower level FIT ICTAP tech apprenticeship with much more direct experience in industry ?

    Your thoughts are much appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    kkeith5
    Registered Users Posts: 23 ✭kkeith5


    marvin2k wrote: »
    Hi ,

    Just looking for opinions here.

    I want to do either a FIT ICTAP apprenticeship in Software Development or a Springboard software development conversion course(have an undergrad already).

    There are things that are appealing about both routes.

    The FIT ICTAP is 6 months college then 18 months of 3-4 days paid work placement with a sponsor company a week and 1-2 days college. Leaving cert needed then selection is based on an aptitude test and interview with a sponsor company.

    The Springboard route is a 9 month academic year in college and then a 3-6 month unpaid internship.

    I imagine the Fit route is more of a guarantee of a job as you will be embedded with a company for 18 months but the conversion courses boast a high employment rate too.

    The springboard courses get you a level 8 higher diploma in Software development but the Fit Ictap earns you the following;

    "1st year - Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 5, Professional Competence Award AP1 2nd year - Diploma in ICT Technologies at Level 6, Professional Competence Award AP2"

    So lets say money and time commitment aside , which course do people think would be more beneficial , the higher level springboard or the lower level FIT ICTAP tech apprenticeship with much more direct experience in industry ?

    Your thoughts are much appreciated

    I’m in the same situation right now trying to decide between the two. Firstly I did a springboard in DIT (failed it) and it was a joke terrible teachers and poorly organized. But I know other people who did springboard and got internships right after and led to a full time position.

    What is appealing about fit is being set up with a company right away instead of wondering during a springboard course will u even get anything. Problem with fit is knowing when the course is gonna start they seem to keep delaying it. Although you won’t get as high of qualification your getting a job as a software developer which is the goal.

    I might be a bit biased because of my experience but I hope to get accepted onto fit with springboard as a second option.


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