neict

The North Eastern ICT Partnership (NEICT) has held 6 annual events looking at the relationship between information security and the business / operations of the region’s public service organisations.

This year’s event was organised as a workshop to bring together people in a range of roles within organisations with responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. These responsibilities include responding to cyber incidents. The objective was to network, share knowledge and experience and progress the civic cyber resilience conversation forward in the north east region.

The workshop was one of 9 #cyberfest events held in the north east region.

A short blog of the event is available.

(taken from Dynamo North East 2018 Fact Sheet)

There are over 39,000 well-paid digital tech jobs in the North East in all sorts of roles

1,300 employers – IT companies and IT in companies:
• Gaming
• Healthcare
• Public Services
• Financial Services
• Digital Marketing
• Consultancy
• Systems Integration
• Government
• Manufacturing
• Utilities

There are around 3,500 vacancies
• All but around a hundred require experience
• More than half are in software and web development, IT management, business development, project management, testing and account management

Growth areas:
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Big Data
• BIM / digital construction
• Car software
• Cloud Computing
• Data Science
• Finance and Accounting
• Games and 3D
• Healthcare and Biomedical
• Internet of Things
• IT Support
• Online Marketing
• Security and Data Protection
• Shared services
• Software as a Service
• Web development

The North East is creating more new businesses than anywhere else in the UK outside of London.
People working in IT and Digital earn more than their peers:

IT Director/Head of IT (non-board) average £85k
IT Manager average £52k
Enterprise Architect average £79k
Programme Manager average £70k
Project Manager average £47k
Security Manager average £72k
IT Security Officer average £30,000
Head of Development average £75k
Development Team Lead average £58k
Developer average £32k – £58k depending on platform
Test Manager average £44,000
Test Lead average £38,000
Data Scientist average £52,000
Data Analyst average £24,000
Business Analyst average £42,000
Support Engineer average ranges from £22k for desktop support engineer to £36k for infrastructure support

Sources: TechNation, GeekTalent, Dynamo, NigelWright Salary Survey, investnortheastengland

There are more software companies based in the region than anywhere else in the UK outside of London, providing

Most of the world’s Wi-Fi for trains
Systems that help make half the country’s beer
Many of the platforms for online bingo and casinos
HMRC digital delivery centre
Systems that most workers in the UK are paid using
High street banking systems
High profile apps
Systems used by high end car retailers to show cars they don’t hold in stock
Sage – only tech company in the FTSE 100 based in the NE
Ubisoft Consumer Relationship Centre in Newcastle (200 people working in 16 languages,) and a software studio in Gosforth
Creative Fuse NE project (all 5 regional universities working together)

The north east has great facilities, accelerator programmes and educational institutions
• Sunderland Software City, Evolve Centre
• Cobalt Business Park
• Campus North
• North East Futures UTC
• National Institute for Smart Data and Innovation
• Five universities and many Further Education colleges
• highest proportion of students studying STEM subjects in the UK
• Active local IT scene for young people
• Code Club
• CoderDojo
• AppsforGood
• Maker clubs
• Young Rewired State
• Hackathons

Dynamo North East – The north east’s industry-led IT cluster

brings together all sorts of people working in IT
• Colleges
• Training providers
• Universities
• IT Companies
• Companies with IT sections
• Councils, health, emergency services, Government
Connects organisations with similar interests through events, conferences and awards
Trained over 100 young people though the Dynamo Hub – getting them ready for IT apprenticeships
Won funding for a new University Technical College for IT and Life Sciences and a National Smart Data Institute

Tech Careers Tips
There’s a job in IT for YOU regardless of the subjects you’re studying – there are over 100 job roles in IT
• All roles: GCSE (or higher) Maths and English
• Online marketing, cyber security, policy, strategy and digital ethics: History, Psychology, Languages, Social sciences
• Wearable biosciences: PE, Biology
• Web and software development: Maths, Engineering, ICT, Computer Science
• Business analysis, project management, supply chain management, business development: Business Studies
• Games, VFX and animation: Degree in Computer Science, Games Programming, Art, Animation or Games Design, preferably from an accredited degree programme. Excellent pathway from Sunderland College’s Level 3 Extended Diploma in Skills

The more work you put in the more choice you’ll have about your future

What employers look for
• POSITIVE ATTITUDE
• Creative problem solving
• Good eye for detail
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Good communication and social skills

Stand out from your friends
• Keep a log of what you do and build a ‘portfolio’ of only the best stuff YOU have done.
• Gain experience of work: volunteer – work for free if you have to
o help people with online skills
o mentor younger students

Contact

membership@dynamonortheast.co.uk