The call is out for employers to support the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub

The Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub is to officially launch after two years of successful pilots in the north east of England.  

By working with employers and young people the Dynamo Hub has created invaluable IT training, work experience and career opportunity in the region’s expanding technology sector.

A roll call of some of the region’s most prominent employers including Sage UK, Aspire Technology Solutions, Orange Bus, ITPS, Cofely / ENGIE, Geek Talent, On Board Pro, SGP Consulting, Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council have all been involved in the pioneering programme and taken on apprentices as result.

The Dynamo IT Hub supports businesses large or small through each major step of setting up and running an apprenticeship program, from advertising and recruitment to training and assessment, and putting in place a framework to make it easier for IT businesses to take on apprentices. 

The North East was the first region in the UK to attempt this type of approach in IT.

North East employers have the chance to sign up and support the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub and a launch event is being held onSeptember 19at Sage UK head office followed by the start of the first course the following day.

Louise Ball, executive director of Baltic Training Services the training company responsible for delivering the Dynamo Hub, said: “With over 2,000 IT vacancies last year that couldn’t be filled we are calling on the region’s employers to sign up and support the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub. The pilot programme has already proved itself successful at offering young people a route to a sustainable career in IT and employers access to a trained talent pool of people able to hit the ground running at the start of their apprenticeship.

“We are holding a launch event for prospective employers on Monday19 September at Sage UK head office.”

Bob Paton CBE, a co-founder and vice chair of technology led employer group Dynamo North East and a key figure behind the creation of the IT Apprentice Hub said: “It is well documented that the North East has an IT skills gap and I’m very proud that with the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub we have led the way in providing an easily accessible blue print for success for both ambitious young people and thriving employers offering IT apprenticeships.

“I spent my professional life enjoying a successful career in IT and I’m keen others should be able to benefit from what is an absolutely golden opportunity to reap the rewards of a sector that shows no signs of slowing down.”

Using Dynamo North East’s extensive network of IT employers, the apprentices have the opportunity to gain valuable real-life experience with some of the region’s leading IT businesses, while gaining the qualifications they need to start their career.

From an employer’s perspective, they can recruit from a pool of dedicated, driven individuals who have already demonstrated commitment and are appropriately qualified.

Similarly, online print destination company printed.com has signed up to welcome to the hub.

Lee McIntosh, chief operating officer of printed.com, based in Cramlington, Northumberland said: “printed.com is pleased to be partnering with Baltic Training Services on the Dynamo Apprentice Hub. We believe this to be a fantastic opportunity for us to engage with local talent to create a pipeline to our workforce of the future. Working with printed.com will offer an apprentice access to a wealth of experience and support within a youthful company in a period of growth.”

Oliver Scott, 17, is working towards his Level 3 IT apprenticeship with Baltic Training Services working at ENGIE as a network engineer apprentice, supporting North Tyneside Council by helping with their network issues in schools, libraries and care homes throughout the region.

He completed his Level 2 qualification in the IT Apprentice Hub pilot last year where he achieved seven distinctions and a full Microsoft qualification.

“The IT apprenticeship with Baltic Training has been a great way for me to turn my hobby into a career and develop my technical knowledge,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying my current role in networking and would like to get more experience in desktop support as my next step. After getting the hands on experience on the job I know this is definitely where I want my career to be heading.”

To book tickets for the free launch of the Dynamo IT Apprentice Hub at Sage on19 September, you can visit the event page at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dynamo-apprentice-hub-launch-tickets-26698872045/

If you would like more information on the Dynamo IT Apprentice Hub call Ruth Watson on 07738 734 200 or email [email protected].