CIÉ Group IT Graduate Programme 2024

The Role

CIÉ Group IT is responsible for providing IT and Telecoms shared services to the CIÉ holding company and to each of its Operating Companies (Iarnród Éireann, Bus Éireann, Dublin Bus, CIÉ Tours) and their support units.

The role of Group IT is to provide the CIÉ Group with a solid IT foundation, support and develop Group Systems, manage integration between systems, set the standards on IT policy and governance and lead information risk activity for the Group.

Group IT services approximately 4,000 IT customers and 200 sites throughout Ireland and is one of the most geographically dispersed IT landscapes in the country

CIÉ Group IT provide a wide catalogue of IT shared services for the Operating Companies including:

• Service Desk: An ITIL aligned Service Desk providing a single point of contact for all Group IT Services available to all users across the group both online and over the phone.
• Managed Services: Providing industry standard hosting, server, client and network management including the management of our two Data Centres and various cloud environments.
• Platform Management: Management of Group-wide systems including OneDrive, SharePoint, Exchange Online, Yammer, Dynamics 365, Microsoft Teams, Service Now, SAP, Qlik BI and CRM to name a few.
• A wide range of high-level services including: • IT Security & Risk Management.
• IT Contract Management
• IT Project Management
• IT Advisory Services
• IT Technical and Application Architecture​.

How does the Graduate Programme work?

Phase 1

How it works:

You will be assigned a role in the CIÉ Service Desk where you will work as part of the support team that are the front line for IT into our business. Your responsibilities will include remote troubleshooting, device rollouts, training & supporting customers throughout the business with IT queries.

What you will learn:

• Phase 1 will focus on the fundamentals of IT Service Delivery.
• It is expected during this phase that you will sit the ITIL Foundations exam to achieve a base level of certification in the area of Service Delivery.
• Regular technology briefs will be provided from subject matter experts within Group IT. These briefs will give more context to the wider operations within the team while also allowing you to develop your own skills based on the topics presented.
• You will receive on-the-job training on O365 & related Microsoft technologies in order to support the growing use of cloud-based technologies.

Phase 2

How it works:

You will continue in your role in the CIÉ Service Desk but will now focus on developing your skill set technically. There are a number of key areas within the Department where you will be given an opportunity to gain experience.

What you will learn:

• Phase 2 will focus on developing your technical skill set.
• It is expected during this phase that you will sit the Azure Fundamentals exam to achieve a base level of certification in the area of cloud technologies.
• Additional certification may also be available based on business requirements.
• You will be assigned a mentor from one of the graduate programmes who will meet with you on a regular basis to provide guidance on your development.

Phase 3

How it works:

Phase 3 will see you seconded from the Service Desk team onto one of the other Teams within the IT Department.

Within these Teams you will focus on the associated technologies or services that are managed by that Team.

Typically, graduates will take the lead in process development and will chair meetings in respect of Change Management, Problem Management and Technology / Architecture.

What you will learn:

• In Phase 3 you will apply the skills developed in Phase 1 & 2 and will heavily focus on developing your broader IT skillset.
• You will continue to meet your mentor on a regular basis who will involve you in projects and service activities.
• In addition, it would be expected that you would sit the associated training courses and exams necessary for roles that you may be applying for once the Programme has ended. • Phase 3 learning is Graduate-led, and it is expected that you would identify and address the gaps in your own skillset

Post-Programme

As you near completion of the Graduate Programme you will be setting your sights on the next challenge.

Permanent positions are regularly advertised within Group IT. You are open to apply for any positions at any point during the Graduate Programme, not just at the end. However, the skills that you will develop on the programme will be invaluable when applying for these roles. Typically, the roles available will be at a junior engineer level.

Career progression is very important within CIÉ, and the junior roles can soon become senior engineering roles, project management roles or leadership roles. The right candidate with the right attitude will be given every opportunity to progress in the organisation.

Are you the right fit?

In order to be considered for the Graduate Programme you should be on track to receive or have received a Computer Science, IT or business-related Bachelor Degree, or equivalent.

You should have the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with the team, and with customers & end users through strong interpersonal & communication skills.

You should be organised with excellent time management capabilities with a ‘Can do’ attitude, focusing on meeting deadlines and on high quality deliverables within a high paced team.

You should be naturally positive attitude towards customer service and have the ability to remain calm under pressure. You should be self-driven with the ability to leverage the graduate programme to your own benefit.

How to apply

Applications can be made by sending your CV and a cover letter explaining why you should be considered for the Graduate Programme.

There is no deadline for applications with vacancies available immediately, early applicants will be prioritised.

Notes:

Each phase is typically 3 to 15 months in duration, but each graduate’s journey is different. Graduates are offered a 24-month contract to cover the full Graduate Programme, pending an annual review.

The certificates & education outlined in the document are subject to availability and require the candidate to sit & pass an associated exam.

Availability within specific teams is not guaranteed and is subject to business requirements. Roles within the Graduate Programme will be hybrid-working with on-site days based in Heuston Station, Dublin.