New IT Apprenticeship scheme launched to provide business
skills focus
The IT Professional Apprenticeship Plus
30 April, 2008
An innovative new IT apprenticeship has been launched in a
partnership between City & Guilds and leading learning
provider QA-IQ. Designed to provide the skills needed in
today’s business landscape, the qualification will provide a
strong start for young people seeking careers in the IT
industry.
The course framework has been devised by e-Skills UK in
consultation with the leading IT employers in the country to
provide cutting edge employer-focused content. It will
include new units in business-focused subjects such as project
and service management, the organisational context, consulting
skills, internet technologies and IT architecture.
Ben Sweetman, Programme Director,
e-Skills UK explains; “At e-skills UK we aim to unite
industry, educators and government to ensure the UK has the
technology-related skills it needs to compete in the global
economy. The apprenticeship programme gives employers an
elite framework to develop and educate new people in the
workforce. We developed the initiative in partnership
with industry, as a way of training young people to work
effectively in their early careers. e-skills UK welcomes
the development of employer focused learning materials and the
contribution made by QA-IQ. We encourage initiatives that
demonstrate collaboration between employers and providers.”
Programme Director at QA-IQ, Nick
Williams adds; “Apprenticeships should provide skills
for those who want a fulfilling career, but may not necessarily
want to follow the higher education route. We are hearing
from organisations that there is a significant skills shortage
in many areas of the IT industry, and current qualifications
aren’t providing the right range of learning. This new
programme gives both apprentices and employers the confidence
that they are developing the right skills to be immediately
effective in the workplace.”
John Pritchard, Academy Manager for
Cambridge Regional College is already running the new
courses; “Apprentices on our course now benefit from varied
learning as they are developed into rounded IT professionals
through this new flexible IT apprenticeship programme. The
course materials and content have simplified its delivery and
allowed the college to grow and refine its capabilities in the
IT arena and therefore this unique partnership has enabled us
to engage a more diverse employer audience.”
Keith Aldis, Chief Executive of the IT
Service Management Forum adds; "This is a key programme
that will hopefully provide a real solution to the urgent need
for the industry to 'grow' a second generation of new IT
Service Managers in the UK. We know that there are about
100,000 individuals working in this industry in the UK and over
25m globally, so the opportunities for young people are
endless. Service management is a career that will prepare them
to engage in all types of business and at all levels and on a
global basis!"
Designed to meet the varying needs of those undertaking an
apprenticeship, the course varies unit content and style to
maintain interest and provide a progressive learning path to
develop skills throughout the programme. It is made up of
predominantly vendor-neutral courses that are robust and not
reliant upon changing technologies, so acquired skills will be
applicable no matter what technology is used by the
organisation they join.
Initial feedback on the programme has been very positive.
Matthew, an apprentice working with Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust is
already taking part in the new ICT Apprenticeship; “I am
working with both hardware and software, learning a lot of new
skills and really enjoying it all.” Another supervisor
adds; “[Our Apprentice] has learnt a great deal already and is
already proving a valuable member of the team.”
A full support package has been developed for learning
institutions running the apprenticeship, including standardised
learning material content that still allows tutors complete
freedom to use their experience and knowledge. It also
increases pass rates by directly matching learning objectives
for the various syllabuses. Based on modules already used
in professional learning programmes, the cutting edge materials
will appeal to employers ranging from small enterprises to blue
chip organisations. Apprentices will have access to the
right breadth and depth of materials to nurture their
development into rounded, operationally-ready individuals.
The new apprenticeship is already accredited as part of the QCF
under Test and Trial status and will be available for full
apprenticeship funding from March 2008. To find out more
about The IT Professional Apprenticeship Plus, please visit
www.qa-iq.com/empower or
call 020 7656 8402, quoting Empower.
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