Press Release

ICT triumphs at National Apprenticeship Awards

28 June 2007

e-skills UK congratulates BT on being named Employer of the Year in the 2007 National LSC Apprenticeship Awards held on the 20th June.  BT received the award in recognition of its outstanding commitment to learning and skills through Apprenticeships.

In addition, Michelle Grandon, an Advanced Apprentice with BT Openreach, was named runner up in the Advanced Apprenticeships Award; and Complete Computer Systems was runner up in the Micro Employer of the Year category.  Three further ICT apprentices were highly commended.

During 2006, BT worked closely with e-skills UK to expand its apprenticeship programme with one of the first ‘Higher Apprenticeship’ schemes.  Higher Apprenticeships offer a motivating route for individuals to achieve a Foundation Degree while working and developing their careers.  BT received more than 1,500 applications for 20 Higher Apprenticeship places, as a result of which the company has trebled the number of places available for 2007.

Dave Walsh, Head of BT Apprenticeships, BT said: “BT is going through a period of exciting and far reaching change.  We need skilled and dynamic people who will contribute to the transformation of the company and deliver excellent customer service. There's no doubt that our Apprenticeship programmes are benefiting everyone involved. The apprentices get three years of work experience together with a Foundation Degree. In return BT gets talented people who bring fresh ideas and new ways of thinking. Across all BT operations there are currently around 860 apprenticeships and we are looking to increase that to 1,200 by the end of this year.”

Karen Price, CEO, e-skills UK said: We are delighted to congratulate BT and the other IT and Telecoms finalists on this well deserved recognition of their commitment to professional development.  e-skills UK works closely with employers such as BT to design and manage the Apprenticeship framework, making sure that Apprenticeship programmes are employer led and meet both employer and individual needs.  e-skills UK also supports individual employers in taking their Apprenticeship programmes forward.”

2007 marks the second year that e-skills UK has joined the Learning and Skills Council to recognise the achievements of apprentices in the Information Technology (ICT) Sector, as part of the overall National Apprenticeship Awards.

Winners of the ICT Sector awards were announced in London on 5 June 2007.

For more information about Apprenticeships in ICT visit www.e-skills.com/apprenticeships.