Northgate Launches IT Apprenticeship
17 September 2009
New job opportunities and training for school leavers offered by Northgate Managed Services Northgate Managed Services is bucking the current economic trend for downsizing with the launch of an IT Apprenticeship Scheme - offering school leavers a direct route to develop a long-term career in the IT sector.
Northgate employs over 1000 people, and services customers across the UK from its base in Northern Ireland. It is the first company in the IT sector to officially recognise the potential talent pool that exists locally, and is directly targeting 16 to 19 years olds via an on-the-job training scheme. In addition to its existing Graduate schemes, Northgate is commencing the 18 month training scheme with the recruitment of six apprentices in September and intends to extend the scheme significantly over the next few years.
In addition to studying for the NVQ Level 2 IT systems and support qualification, the apprentices will ‘earn as they learn’, combining educational study with hands-on training as part of the IT service team in Northgate’s head office. Each apprentice is also allocated a mentor and ‘buddy’ to support and advise them throughout the 18 month programme. As with every employee in Northgate, the apprentices will have their own personal development plan and upon completion of the Scheme, there is potential for them to move into permanent positions in Northgate with opportunities to develop their skills within a wide variety of career paths in the company.
“As a leading IT company, working with every school in Northern Ireland, I feel it is important to encourage young people into a career in IT, offering job opportunities to those people who for whatever reason choose not to go on to University. The typical 16 to 19 year old is already IT literate, and can very quickly become productive in an IT services environment. As a successful and growing IT services company Northgate Managed Services is committed to working with young people in the communities where we are based and I am delighted we have been able to launch the IT Apprentice Scheme” said Andy Ross Chief Executive, Northgate Managed Services.
“Many people seem to believe that a university degree is the only route to a career within the IT sector. This isn’t the case and by offering an IT Apprenticeship Scheme as an additional option to our existing Graduate schemes, we are developing a qualified and talented workforce that will help us grow our business.
Northgate Managed Services has also commenced the roll out of the IT Apprentice Scheme across the UK with the recruitment of Apprentices to IT teams in Kent, Bristol and Leicester already underway.
Supporting the progressive move by Northgate, Employment and Learning Minister, Sir Reg Empey said:
“This is a welcome development which offers great potential benefits for Northgate as a company and for the new IT Apprentices employed here. We have been convinced for some time that Apprenticeships could offer a viable route into this exciting industry and I am therefore delighted that a major IT employer like Northgate has decided to launch an Apprenticeship scheme.
“I wish Northgate and their new employees all the very best with this new initiative and hope that the scheme goes from strength to strength.
“I would also encourage other IT companies in Northern Ireland to look carefully at what Northgate have done and follow their lead in bringing future talent into the industry at an early stage.”
The first six apprentices started in September, and Northgate will visit schools and colleges to promote the Scheme during the autumn term with the next assessment centres being held in Feb/March, aiming for another batch of new recruits to start in June 2010. Those interested in finding out more about the IT Apprentice Scheme should contact info@northgate-is.com or via www.northgate-is.com/managedservices
