SECTOR FOCUS: SKILLS
MET boosts youth IT skills A
BY JOHN LAMB
Midlands computer technology company is pioneering an apprenticeship programme that will benefit businesses
which do not have dedicated ICT support. MET (Managed Enterprise Technology), based at Fort Dunlop in Birmingham, took on three apprentices from a Microsoft-approved scheme and their move is now set to provide much-need ICT support to a string of other businesses. Managing director Ian Vickers says: “When we took on the apprentices one of our clients, Blue Earth Foods Ltd in Redditch, was looking to employ a young ICT person. However, they did not have an ICT department and so one of our apprentices was taken on to work at Blue Earth. “We take the
responsibility for the interviewing and selection process and the apprentice undertakes an induction course at MET’s Network Operation Centre. The young person is then seconded to the site of our client and we support them through regular supervision and helpdesk support.” Their training development is managed by
MET, which works closely with the client to ensure that the apprentice is providing the right services and skills. The apprentice may be offered a more senior role or be brought back to MET and another apprentice provided.
The apprentice: Ian Vickers (centre) with Lasse Hansen and MET apprentice Usman Aslam (front).
‘We anticipate that within 18 months the apprentice at Blue Earth will outgrow the role’
Job initiative has its work cut out
Mr Vickers addeded: “The initiative is brilliant for bringing young people into work and ensures that they are developing the right skills, supported by an innovative technology business like MET.” Blue Earth Foods Ltd is a major supplier of chilled
seafood products to leading retailers throughout the United Kingdom and Europe and its managing director Lasse Hansen said: “We are delighted with the way things are working with MET. It means we have the expertise we need on site, with the comfort of being backed by a leading ICT support company.”
The Government’s £1 billion boost to get young people into jobs and off the unemployment register will be an uphill battle, according to Midland agency Hart Recruitment.
Phillippa Hart, managing director,
says the Government will have to overcome the unwillingness of young people to take low paid work, skill shortages as well as corporate caution over training. The Whitehall initiative is aimed
at financial help for companies willing to take 18-24 year-olds and train them, but Phillippa, whose agency is based in Great Barr, Birmingham, says it won’t be easy to attract young people through the doors. “Recruitment agencies see it
every day. There has been an increase in vacancies, and where candidates only a year ago queued up for just one job, they now have a choice of two or three. And that introduces its own problems for recruitment agencies. Candidates are open to counter offers. Good candidates have options which was not the case 12 months ago.” She said companies are still anxious about committing too much to training while the economic future is in doubt.
Training from Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group
The Chamber has developed a range of training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills of employees and helping them achieve competence in their roles, along with the delivery of key targets and objectives.
FEBRUARY 2012
15 & 16 Bid & Tender Management 22 23
Time Management
28 & 29 Essentials of Management 29
Tender Breakfast morning Successful Selling Skills
MARCH 2012 8
20 21
22
Mastering Social Media for Business Effective Meeting Skills Windows 2010
27 & 28 Finance for non Finance Managers 29
Advanced Influencing Skills CLOUD
To benefit from our bespoke business courses, call today
For full details contact Elexis Spencer on 0121 607 1911 or email
e.spencer@birmingham-chamber.com
FEBRUARY 2012 CHAMBERLINK 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56