The leaders of tomorrow are currently sat in a classroom. Some may not know what they want to do after school, others already know and want to get into work right away. Apprenticeships are a great option for these young people to gain knowledge and expertise in their chosen field. Computacenter are investing in leading Apprenticeship Programmes to support these great minds in their journey to the world of IT.
The Computacenter Apprenticeship Programme was officially established in 2016. The programme has three pathways for learners; Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships and Upskilling (for existing employees’ development).
EXTERNAL CANDIDATES
For external candidates there is the option to join Computacenter as an Apprentice or a Degree Apprentice. With both options the individual will join the business in their chosen area and work alongside their manager, team and mentor to gain hands on experience whilst studying towards their qualification. Although these paths have different time scales, from one to five years, they have the same goal – educate and skill the leaders of tomorrow.
The benefits of investing in Apprentices are well known. As a result of supporting young talent Computacenter can attract the best candidates, create a pipeline of talent and increase diversity across the business. However, the benefits are not ours alone. By investing in great talent our customers, their people and the wider IT industry benefits.
BENEFITS OF THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMMES
Our customers benefit from the Apprenticeship Programmes by receiving the best young talent to support their IT strategy. Talent with fresh minds and fresh ideas, allowing innovation to grow and be implemented into customers IT agendas. Apprentices within delivery and service roles support our customers people by working alongside the experts in that account, and at times located within the customers business. They are immersed in the culture and understand the customer in a way that supports the services they provide, going above and beyond to support customer strategy, whilst keeping disruption to a minimum.
Computacenter has a strong record of retaining people with a 69% retention rate. We are very proud of this record and hope to have the same retention with all our people, however, some people may move on to other roles within the industry. This movement across the industry is inevitable and by investing in our people on the Apprenticeship Programme we can take pride in their achievements, knowing they have the greatest knowledge and skill to allow them to succeed and support our customers and partners from outside the business.
BENEFICIAL FOR ALL
Through the Apprenticeship Programmes available within Computacenter, and across the industry, we will all benefit. Nurturing these great minds will allow the IT industry to continue to flourish and see changes that have not been considered. We are creating the next generation of IT leaders, and we can’t wait to see what they will achieve.
The current and future cohorts of Apprenticeships have never lived in a world without technology. They understand it better than the generation before them. This understanding and ease with various kinds of technology means they can look through complexities older generations see with IT and see the solution that can be offered.
Ashley Keane, Apprenticeship Programme Lead
David Peach
Joined in February 2019 on the Degree Apprenticeship Programme, studying for a Management Degree whilst working as a Project Coordinator.
What was your experience before joining the Degree Apprenticeship Programme?
I had finished college studying Computer Science and was working in a sales role. I knew I didn’t want to go to university, so explored the option of an Apprenticeship and was happy to find one that offered a degree qualification rather than repeating the work I had done at college.
What role did you apply for with Computacenter?
I initially applied for the IT & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship Programme advertised on Indeed. Once I had successfully gone through the recruitment process, we (myself and fellow apprentices) went to a seven-week workshop. It was here that I realised the Degree I had initially signed up to wasn’t the right fit for me. I spoke with my manager sharing my concerns that the course wasn’t the right fit for leadership and management, suggested an alternative and thankfully started on the course I am now doing.
How is the programme structured to support you?
The course is four and half years and is split across different modules which give an understanding of business operations and management. The programme is split 80% work and 20% study, giving me time to get the hands-on experience I need whilst having time to study.
What is your current role and how does it support customers?
I am currently a Project Coordinator working on transformation projects. In my role I don’t work directly with the customer, but the work we are doing is bringing new and innovative solutions that can be brought into the customers business. The work we do is to make sure the customer receives the best solution to fit with their IT agenda.
How has Computacenter supported you in your role and in the Programme?
I have always been supported. From very early in the programme I was shown that Computacenter were committed to supporting me as I looked to change the degree I was working towards. It was great to know early on that I had the support of the people around me. Also, my manager is always there to help and makes sure that I have enough time to dedicated to my course work.
Emily Sibley
Joined in February 2020 as part of the Apprenticeship Programme, working towards a Business Administration qualification whilst working as a Scheduler on large accounts.
What was your experience before joining the Degree Apprenticeship Programme?
I was at college and working at a local leisure centre. I wasn’t enjoying my course at college and started to look for alternatives where I could work and learn. Once I found the role at Computacenter, I knew it was the right fit, I would be able to work for a large organisation and learn.
What role did you apply for with Computacenter?
I applied for the Level 3 Apprenticeship Programme in Business Administration, working with an account team where I would be a Scheduler.
How is the programme structured to support you?
The programme really helps me to manage my time and make sure I can do my work and course work. The course work is around the business. It is giving me an understanding of what we do, how do it and why we do it in this way. I have gained excellent training and transferable skills that will help me succeed in my role and ensure I am a valued member of the team.
What is your current role and how does it support customers?
I am currently working as a Scheduler, assisting with two of our podium accounts. I ensure engineers are booked in to fix any IT concerns with our customers, making sure they have all the information they need and are there on-time. This role is very focused on our customers and how we support their IT infrastructure. I am speaking with customers daily to make sure we can fix any issue or provide necessary updates at a convenient time that doesn’t cause them too much disruption.
How has Computacenter supported you in your role and in the Programme?
I have received great support from my manager, my team and from other people across the business. Joining just before lockdown I was lucky enough to get some time with my team before I went onto furlough. The time on furlough let me concentrate on my course work and I was happy to do it as I knew it was a difficult time for the business. Since coming back in early August, I know I can go to my manager or team at any time for support to make sure that I am excelling within my role.
How has the Apprenticeship Programme supported you outside of work?
I am more confident. I now communicate with people at different levels across the business and within our customers and this has helped me to become more confident when communicating with people.
Do you think Apprenticeship Programmes are helping to bridge the IT Skills Gap?
Yes, they are. Apprenticeship Programmes give people the knowledge and skill they need to succeed. We don’t know what people can do and by giving them this basis they can go on to achieve great things within the IT industry.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information on our Apprenticeship Programme please contact Ashley Keane, Apprenticeship Programme Lead ashley.keane@computacenter.com
To see what other programmes we are running to invest in Future Talent, click here
