SITA - next generation of software developers trained in Letterkenny

LETTERKENNY – 05 August, 2010 – Air transport IT specialist SITA today announced the successful completion of the first placement of Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) students at the company’s software development centre in Letterkenny.

Students taking LYIT’s Enterprise Applications Development course spend one semester working for SITA, which provides them with insight into commercial software development and business experience. This course, developed in conjunction with SITA, provides both Postgraduate Computing Diploma and Master of Science qualifications.

Thomas Dowling, Head of Department of Computing at LYIT, said: “The Enterprise Applications Development course allows graduates to exercise their skills in a live environment while gaining experience in a world-class company. Our aim is to provide our students with good employment prospects by turning out excellent candidates for companies both here in the North West and across the country.”

Maurice Maher, SITA’s Director of Software Development in Ireland, said: “SITA designs and implements mission-critical enterprise applications that are used every day in the global air transport industry from airport operations to passenger systems and baggage management. In fact, almost every airline and airport in the world does business with SITA, so during their time with us, the LYIT students experience the complexity of developing enterprise applications for use across this fascinating industry.”

Technologies the students put into practice at SITA include Silverlight, .Net (Dot Net), WPF, C#, Java Services (SOA), Web Services, Hibernate, Spring, Linux, Oracle and SQL. These are used in systems to run major international airports; enable airlines to embrace web technologies; and integrate the multiple complex systems used across the air transport industry.

LYIT graduate Ray Hogan said: “My time spent at SITA has been invaluable. The experience I've gained with both cutting-edge technologies and development practices has far surpassed any of my expectations. During the course at LYIT we were studying, using and comparing the leading enterprise technologies and architectures used in real-world business applications. However, it wasn't until the placement that I had the opportunity to use these technologies extensively and combine them in a practical sense. It is like the equivalent of a medical student making the transition from research in a controlled laboratory environment to performing brain surgery.” 

Maher added: “As a local employer, SITA is committed to contributing to the Letterkenny community, including working closely with LYIT. We believe in the importance of solid training for the next generation of software developers and with the LYIT placement programme we have the added benefit of assessing potential candidates for future job opportunities.”

SITA currently has more than 115 employees based at its development centre in Letterkenny including the eight graduates from LYIT’s Enterprise Applications Development course.

About SITA
SITA is the world's leading specialist in air transport communications and IT solutions. SITA delivers and manages business solutions for airline, airport, GDS, government and other customers over the world’s most extensive network, which forms the communications backbone of the global air transport industry.

SITA’s portfolio includes managed global communications, infrastructure and outsourcing services, as well as services for airline commercial management and passenger operations, flight operations, aircraft operations and air-to-ground communications, airport management and operations, baggage operations, transportation security and border management, cargo operations and more.

With a customer service team of over 1,900 staff around the world, SITA invests significantly in achieving best-in-class customer service, providing integrated local and global support for both its communications and IT application services.

SITA has two main subsidiaries: OnAir, which is the leading provider of in-flight connectivity, and CHAMP Cargosystems, the world's only IT company dedicated solely to air cargo. SITA also operates two joint ventures providing services to the air transport community: Aviareto for aircraft asset management and CertiPath for secure electronic identity management.

SITA is one of the world's most international companies. Its global reach is based on local presence, with services for over 550 air transport industry members and 3,200 customers in over 200 countries and territories. Set up in 1949 with 11 member airlines, SITA today employs people of more than 140 nationalities, speaking over 70 different languages. SITA had consolidated revenues of over US$1.49 billion (€1.07 billion) in 2009.

For further information go to www.sita.aero

About Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) is a vibrant modern Institute located on two campuses, with over 3,000 students and growing. LYIT has expanded greatly in recent years, adding over 30 programmes to an already diverse and rich curriculum and winning prestigious national research projects.

A new state of the art business incubation centre, continues to pioneer exciting new links between knowledge, research and industry.  LYIT brings a high standard of education coupled with a pragmatic approach which adds up to greater opportunities for graduates.