FOUR young IT technicians have secured full-time jobs with Gateshead data storage firm ITPS, thanks to NECC Training.
Jordan Hepple, Jordan Anderson, Phillip Housego and Steven Belcher were recruited and then trained by NECC Training to ITPS’s specific requirements complemented by in-house work experience, over the last 18 months.
Phillip Housego achieved his Level 3 apprenticeship for IT Professionals and is now a technician in the ITPS call centre working within a desktop support role. Steven is working in the new data centre based in the data integrity team and both Jordans have qualified as unified communications technicians and all three have completed a Level 2 apprenticeship for IT Professionals.
Meanwhile Beth Richards – a business administration apprentice – is currently working on ITPS’ reception and is due to complete her studies in November.
ITPS decided to use the apprenticeship route to recruit members of its team as part of its policy to strengthen its pipeline to meet demand for its services.
Susan Jopling, director of corporate strategy, policy and HR at ITPS, said: “Combining practical work with nationally-recognised qualifications gives the apprentices a good foundation on which to build their career.
“Over the last 15 years we also have found some outstanding team members via our apprenticeship programme.
“Our apprentices add real commercial value while gaining the knowledge and experience that will benefit their careers. The result is a scheme that benefits them while supporting our business and its growth.”
Andrew Robson, head of NECC Training said: “ITPS is a great example of providing high quality apprenticeships to young people at the start of their career.
“We are delighted to have been able to provide the right candidates for this business and see their relationship blossom into full time employment.
“Now that students are leaving school, it is the perfect time for companies to follow ITPS’s lead and snap up the best candidates from our pool of great young people.”
ITPS business specialises in integrated IT consultancy, implementation and support services, unified communications and workspace recovery, employing 103 people at its bases in Gateshead and Chester le Street. It has recently created a £4m data centre, the biggest in the North East, which created 25 jobs.
Joining ITPS’s technical services and field engineer teams, the former apprentices gained practical skills by working alongside engineers at base and out in the field, backed up by formal training sessions.
NECC Training delivers IT professional qualifications to levels up to 4 and can also offer apprenticeship training to existing employees.