The Scotsman

Mining the data – meet and greet gives jobseekers chance to show off skills

Networking event set to attract more than 300 tech students to meet employers,

- writes Russell Jackson

Scotland’s top digital technology students will be given a rare opportunit­y to make contacts with some of the world’s leading companies at a networking event in Glasgow.

The Data Talent meeting has been organised as part of the 2018 Data Fest, which takes place across the country from 19-23 March.

Now in its third year, the introducto­ry event will invite more than 40 companies from various sectors to meet 300 Masters and PHD students from Scottish universiti­es.

Among the confirmed attendees are Data Fest sponsors SAS and Merkle Aquila, and organisati­ons including Royal Bank of Scotland, Heineken, Sainsbury’s Bank and the Scottish Government.

“Data is becoming an increasing­ly valuable resource in a growing range of sectors and industries,” said Data Lab skills manager, Joshua Ryansaha.

“The demand for those educated in its use is growing rapidly and Scotland is increasing­ly regarded as a hub for fostering new data talent. The opportunit­y for students to meet directly with potential employers is an incredibly valuable one, and the direct impact the event has on jobs post-graduation is measurable.” The number of academic opportunit­ies currently available to students within Scotland continues to rise alongside demand by employers.

The Data Talent event will run over the course of a day in Glasgow, allowing for unstructur­ed networking opportunit­ies in addition to talks and exhibits presented by world class speakers and hosts. There will also be a chance for students to attend skills workshops.

Robin Huggins director of client services at MBN Solutions, Data Talent’s recruitmen­t partners, said: “Scotland is in a unique position in its ability to foster and shape data talent.

“The proximity of our universiti­es, and the collaborat­ions between them have created a vibrant community which employers are increasing­ly tapping into.

“Our students graduate with realworld experience as well as worldclass training, so they are prime targets for the most competitiv­e of employers. Events such as Data Talent are incredibly valuable in the encouragem­ent of dialogue between students and employers.”

 ??  ?? 0 The 2017 Data Talent event
0 The 2017 Data Talent event

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