Software For All
AI Bootcamp
Turning AI and software skills into real jobs.
What is it?
Closing the gap between AI skills and AI jobs
Demand for AI-enabled software skills is growing rapidly across Northern Ireland. Yet employers can struggle to find and shape entry-level talent with the right skills, while individuals can find it difficult to turn their training, qualifications and potential into meaningful employment.
The AI Bootcamp is designed to bridge that gap.
Individual
Employer
Placement-year students
Recent graduates
For students on a software-related degree who missed out on a placement year, and recent graduates who aren't currently employed in a software role.
01
The AI Bootcamp
Build practical AI skills.
Take part in an intensive in-person two-week bootcamp (4–15 January 2027) built around real work. Develop skills across engineering, AI, product, commercial awareness and marketing.
02
Employer Placements
Show employers what you can do.
Connect with local employers and apply for paid software opportunities (min. 16 weeks) after the bootcamp. You'll leave with practical experience, stronger workplace skills and evidence that goes beyond your CV.
The Bootcamp
More than theory, built around real work.
4-15 January 2027, in person, Belfast.
What the bootcamp will cover:
• Engineering: how software gets built, end to end
• AI: building faster, and knowing when to trust it
• Product: working out what's worth building
• Sales & commercial: pricing, outcomes, client needs
• Marketing & distribution: getting your work seen
Pathway
From the AI Bootcamp to work
Step 1
Are you eligible?
Check the eligibiltiy criteria before applying to the bootcamp
An employer-led programme creating real, AI-enabled entry-level jobs across Northern Ireland, connecting SMEs who need entry-level talent with candidates ready to work in AI-native software roles.
Individuals attend an in-person 2-week bootcamp 4-15 January 2027. These individuals have the opportunity to apply to software 16 full time placements. Employers will shortlist, interview and appoint successful candidates.
Who is the AI Bootcamp for?
To be eligible to be considered for the bootcamp, Indviduals must:
Be currently enrolled on, or have graduated from, a software-related Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Software Development or Computer Science) at a Northern Ireland university or college, with study commencing May 2022 or later.
Not currently in full-time employment in a software role.
Be available to attend the in-person bootcamp in January 2027.
Have an existing right to work in the UK.
Be available to take up a relevant employment placement for at least 16 weeks following the bootcamp, or on completion of your final year of study.
Apply through the Workplus platfrom before 12 noon on Friday 13 November.
Will I get a job at the end of the bootcamp?
The bootcamp will give you practical, industry-relevant skills and real evidence of what you can do, helping you build your confidence and improve your prospects of securing a job in the future.
At the end of the bootcamp, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for 16-week, full-time paid placements with participating employers. Employers will shortlist and interview candidates based on the skills and experience they’re looking for, so while the bootcamp gives you the opportunity to apply, a placement is not guaranteed.
Everyone who completes the bootcamp will leave with valuable skills and practical experience they can use when applying for future roles – not just a certificate.
Start dates of opportunities will depend on employers.
What support will there be to help with my application?
If you have any questions while completing your application, you can use the chat function for immediate support. Workplus will also be hosting an online application clinic to guide you through the process, answer any questions and help you feel confident submitting your application.
I have questions - where can I get in touch
You can reach out to the Workplus team using the blue chat box on the bottom right of your screen. Make sure to accept the cookies.
What's involved?
Meet emerging talent ready to contribute in an AI-enabled workplace.
Our two-week AI Bootcamp in January equips software-related students and recent graduates with the technical, commercial, and customer-focused skills needed in an AI-enabled workplace.
Your organisation can interview participants who complete the bootcamp and offer a suitable candidate a paid, temporary role lasting at least 16 weeks.
Local talent, built for what's next
This talent is job-ready, Northern Ireland-based, and matched to roles that matter to you. Candidates arrive ready to contribute from day one.
A low-risk way to access new AI talent
With a minimum 16-week full-time placement commitment, it's a low-risk way to bring brilliant new talent into your organisation and see what they can do.
Connect. Collaborate. Grow.
Join like-minded employers and raise your profile with Northern Ireland’s emerging software and AI workforce.
What's involved?
4 Simple Steps
Step 1
Are you eligible?
Find out if you are eligible to take part in the project
Create an entry-level software role on the Workplus platform or send us your vacancy link
Step 4
Shortlist & Interview
Shortlist and interview AI Bootcamp graduates after 15 January
Is your role set up to succeed?
Uncover the risks before you recruit
A fast but strategic employer diagnostic. Before you recruit a graduate or placement student, uncover the hidden risks that could undermine the hire, and build a role that genuinely lets early-career talent thrive.
ICX (Inter-Company Exchange) is a series of monthly peer-learning sessions where software companies of all sizes come together to learn, share and explore how AI is reshaping software development. Through live demonstrations and deep dives, the sessions cover AI tooling, the software development lifecycle, team structures, skills and the challenges of adopting and scaling AI across organisations.
FAQ's
You've got questions. We've got answers.
What is the Software for all AI bootcamp?
An employer-led programme creating real, AI-enabled entry-level jobs across Northern Ireland, connecting employers who need entry-level talent with candidates ready to work in AI-native software roles.
Individuals attend an in-person 2-week bootcamp 4-15 January 2027. These individuals have the opportunity to apply to paid, 16-week full-time software placements. Employers will shortlist, interview and appoint successful candidates.
Who is the AI Bootcamp for?
To be eligible to be considered for the bootcamp, Indviduals must:
Be currently enrolled on, or have graduated from, a software-related Bachelor’s degree (e.g. Software Development or Computer Science) at a Northern Ireland university or college, with study commencing May 2022 or later.
Not currently in full-time employment in a software role.
Be available to attend the in-person bootcamp in January 2027.
Have an existing right to work in the UK.
Be available to take up a relevant employment placement for at least 16 weeks following the bootcamp, or on completion of your final year of study.
Apply through the Workplus platfrom before 12 noon on Friday 13 November.
What is the bootcamp content?
Week one rotates participants through five pillars, Engineering, AI, Product, Sales & commercial, and Marketing & distribution, working in pods inside a fictional business. Week two puts them to work on a real, anonymised employer challenge: a discovery clinic and build plan on Monday, building with AI-native tools Tuesday to Thursday, then demonstrating their work on Friday.
Am I eligible as an employer to hire someone from the AI Bootcamp?
You'll need an operating base in Northern Ireland and the ability to create at least one entry-level software-related placement for a minimum of 16 weeks, full-time (paid). You'll need to register your interest, confirming that you will advertise the role on the Software For All platform and commit to reviewing applications and interviewing candidates.
What is the commitment for employers?
Employers participating in the project commit to:
Sign up, noting they have a minimum 16-week full-time placement starting no later than August 2027
Advertise an eligible role on the SoftwareForAll platform
Reviewing applications and interviewing candidates
Give an indication if they are willing to offer a permanent place (not essential)
What kind of roles are suitable?
Roles suitable for someone in or who has graduated from a software-related degree.
Roles that offer a paid employment placement of at least 16 weeks with a start date between February - August.
Who pays for what?
The bootcamp is fully funded, so there is no cost to employers or candidates for the training. If your organisation chooses to hire a candidate after the bootcamp, you will be responsible for paying their salary or wages and any associated employment costs.
Funded by
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