WEBELEVATE, A free programme for jobseekers aimed at retraining them with in-demand technical skills, is to begin a second round in April following the initiative’s launch last October.

The programme is backed by the Higher Education Authority’s Springboard initiative and Dublin Institute of Technology is the awarding body for qualifications. Digital Skills Academy is delivering the honours-degree level course at its facility in the Digital Hub.

The programme aims to help plug the gap in the market for relevant digital skills, while supporting the unemployed and jobseeking graduates to re-enter the labour market.

Participants study on the year-long scheme through a combination of taught modules and by working as part of a multidisciplinary team on a digital project.

The course was developed through feedback from the industry.

In total, 20 companies including Telefonica Ireland, BT Ireland, Pigsback.com, Digiweb, Oracle Ireland and Gill Macmillan have developed a range of digital products and services, such as mobile and web apps, for the course participants to work on.

A typical team on the course comprises a project manager, one digital marketer, two software developers oriented towards web and mobile apps, along with a copywriter and a graphic designer.

Paul Dunne, chief executive of the Digital Skills Academy, said the scheme aims to build on people’s existing skills.

The previous round included applicants with backgrounds in architecture and civil engineering. Quantity surveyors are particularly apt for project management roles, Mr Dunne said, while people with backgrounds in retail are suited to digital marketing.

“We’re taking what they already have and we’re layering on top a couple of the key ingredients to make them employable in the digital sector,” Mr Dunne said.

The scheme is also intended to address other workplace skills commonly found in the digital sector.

“Team working is core to that, as is collaborative working methods, and creative problem solving . . . They’re the things employers are telling us they’re looking for, in addition to specific programming skills,” he said.

Companies working with the teams will have the chance to assess potential recruits while the project is under way.

Participants are also encouraged to consider starting their own businesses.

The demand for digital skills is growing. Before the first WebElevate programme began last October, it attracted 450 applicants for 180 places.

It is estimated that there are up to 2,500 unfilled jobs in the digital and gaming sectors in Ireland.