Shift is the first programme to roll out of SIGNAL, the new South Island ICT Grad School. And now there are
scholarships to the value of $2500 available for Shift participants.
Shift is an innovative and immersive studio-based programme committed to transitioning people into an IT role quickly.
The programme starts on February 27th.
Shift is designed for those who already have a degree - in any subject from the arts to sciences or engineering. It is the
perfect vehicle for those looking to a career change, or returning to the workplace. With the IT sector booming, it’s the
ideal time to be looking to the ICT industry for employment.
To make the move easy, SIGNAL has committed to eight Shift scholarships – to find out about the programme and
scholarships, visit www.signal.ac.nz/shift or email info@signal.ac.nz.
Programme background
As a one-year programme, Shift has two streams, a Software Development stream for those wanting to focus on
programming and a Development Allied Roles stream for those wanting to focus on other areas, be it testing, user
experience or technical writing as a few examples.
Shift begins with a fundamentals course that introduces the breadth of the IT industry and career opportunities, frames
the professional standards of IT and industry, introduces Agile and Design thinking. Industry visits and guest speakers
are an integral part of this first course.
The immersive studio comes next. Working in small teams on real world and real world inspired problems in a variety
of different roles, students will be hands-on learning by doing. Seminars and workshops with academics, domain and
industry experts will provide deep learning in technical skills areas but also many of the essential skills related to
communication, teamwork and innovation. Reflection during the studio course encourages students to think about the
direction they want to take in IT and influences their choices for the Industry placement.
In the second half of Shift, students undertake an Industry project, placement or internship and can take two courses
from any of the five SIGNAL partner institutions.
Shift will be run out of the two new SIGNAL sites: in at 123 Vogel St, Dunedin and in the Innovation Precinct,
Christchurch.
Students will graduate with a Diploma for Graduates/ Graduate Diploma.
