Highlands College recently hosted a coffee morning to thank JT for its ongoing support, using the opportunity to invite JT former students to meet the current cohort of IT students, reflecting their long-standing and supportive relationship.
Marcus Irwin (pictured to the left), Head of Product Innovation at JT, highlights the significance of the partnership: “At JT, we’ve seen first-hand how young people graduating from the College grow into highly skilled professionals. The combination of mentorship, hands-on learning, and the confidence they gain from their Tutors has helped many build amazing careers. Several of JT’s team now play a key role in mentoring the next generation. This partnership is not just about filling roles; it’s about creating long-term career opportunities for local talent.
“JT has long recognised the value of Highlands College and the quality of its graduates. Many of these graduates have become JT employees, and with support, have continued to benefit from ongoing professional development courses with the College.”
From an educational perspective, Shaun Heslop, FdSc and BSc Digital Technologies Co-Ordinator at Highlands College, said, “Digital skills are essential across all industries, which is why we’re equipping students with the technical expertise and problem-solving abilities needed to thrive in the world of work.”
Torin Mitchell, Enterprise IT Manager at JT and a Highlands College graduate, added, “The digital skills gap is a real challenge for every industry. Highlands is producing talented graduates who go on to careers in many areas such as finance, HR, and marketing as well as critical technical roles, ensuring the island has a well-rounded workforce for the future. By working closely with the College, we’re supporting a pipeline of professionals who understand not just the technical aspects but also the broader business landscape.”
Darian Faria, a former Highlands College student who completed JT’s Graduate Scheme, is now a full-time employee. “Events like this are fantastic for meeting people who are doing the job you aspire to, the job you’re working towards. Studying in Jersey and continuing with JT’s Graduate Scheme has been an amazing opportunity for me. It’s been a stepping stone to my current role as a developer in the Product team.”
The event reflects a shared commitment to combat the local digital skills shortage by adopting a community-driven approach to nurturing talent. By working with local businesses like JT, the College can ensure it offers vocational and technical courses and tailored apprenticeships that directly address the current and evolving needs of the digital industry.
