IT Apprenticeships – Dispelling the Myths

Andy Dent Innovit

George Anderson Zenos

Terry Killer Microsoft

The Challenges

Shortage of affordable IT professional skills

Recruitment of people with existing and often costly skills just moves the ‘vacancies’ around – no new blood moving into the industry

Leitch report highlights a shortage and need for apprentices so:-

Microsoft Partners Zenos AcademyLSC e-skill SSCMicrosoft

TodayUnderstand the partner business

Interpersonal skillsBusiness awareness skills (supplying solutions, not products)Technical skills

Define an agreed programmeA concise document that clearly identified the requirements, process for taking things forward and ownership for making things happen

Selected training providerCreative delivery capacityProvide validation of candidate suitability at the pre employer interview stage

Job Centre Plus for recruitment

The partners

All Partners wanted to get their apprentices up to speed as soon as possible:

For the first 3 months of being on programme, 4 days a week in learning and 1 in the workplace

For the next 3 months, 3 days a week in learning and 2 in the workplace

For the remainder, just 1 day a week in learning

Current state of play

20 + candidates going through employer interview and job offer stage

Other candidates being selected, tested and pre interviewed

Training Provider ready to deliver (with others preparing to deliver against a Learning Specification from Sept 09)