Generation Innovation, the free work experience programme from Catalyst, is accepting applications from people aged 17-18 who want to accelerate their career development and learn new skills to help them think innovatively.
The programme is supported by Northern Ireland's Department for the Economy and places young people at some of the most successful and dynamic companies in Northern Ireland.
Since launch in 2018, more than 1,600 participants from 130 schools and further education colleges have taken part in the programme, which has been supported by some 57 companies.
Over the course of four or five days, depending on which location participants apply to, successful applicants will receive design thinking training from experts and work as part of a team to develop new ideas and solve a real company challenge.
Young people will be paired with well-known employers, such as Allstate, Artemis Technologies, and iManage, and then collaborate with their team to develop a solution to an issue that the company faces in the real world.
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They will then pitch their solution to the partner company and their peers at the end.
Judith Camblin, Generation Innovation programme manager at Catalyst, said: “Generation Innovation is a unique work experience programme where young people can come together, think creatively in a team, and solve real-world challenges.
"The programme energises the imaginations of young people and enables them to upskill for the jobs of the future.
“Participants are guaranteed to learn new skills in a fun way and build an innovation mindset through design thinking training. I would encourage anyone interested to apply to this programme.”
Michael McMahon, a previous Generation Innovation participant, said: “The Generation Innovation programme was an amazing experience that has allowed me to not only make new friends with the same passion for innovation that I have, but also build valuable connections in the software/development field.
“The whole team at Catalyst made it an unforgettable week, with great people, partner companies, and food! Not to mention how good the programme looks on a CV.”
Alongside upskilling and working with innovative companies, participants will receive free Generation Innovation merchandise and gain access to the Generation Innovation alumni network.
600 young people will take part in Generation Innovation in June across the following locations:
- 13th-16th June: Derry-Londonderry, The Guildhall
- 19th-23rd June: Belfast, Catalyst, Queen’s Road
- 26th-29th June: Dungannon, The Junction
For more information on how to apply for Generation Innovation 2023, visit: generationinnovation.co. Applications close on 31 March.
Photo: (l-r) Carla McErlean, Generation Innovation project lead, and Judith Camblin.
