A new skills apprenticeship programme has been launched for companies in the UK’s North East region, designed to help businesses invest in upskilling their workforce and train the next generation of skilled digital professionals.
Developed by Sunderland-based national digital skills academy Code, the programme is assisting Newcastle-based business intelligence, data analytics, testing and quality assurance consultancy Seriös Group in instilling employees with industry-aligned level 4 qualifications, teaching them how to collect, organise and study data to provide business insights.
Seriös has already committed to recruiting and investing in its own employee base through a range of apprenticeship programmes, with a number of trainees joining the ranks this June as apprentice data analysts and software testing consultants.
With additional spaces available on the 24-month programme, Code – a company that works with businesses across the UK to help upskill their staff and make the most of the government’s Apprenticeship Levy, introduced in 2017 – are opening the programme to organisations across the region.
“Companies are increasingly recognising the importance of digital skills in their workforces,” said Simon Howatson, chief executive of Code.
“As the leading provider in the North East for businesses which want to upskill their employees, we are passionate about training the next generation of data experts.
“Apprenticeships are a great way for people to learn vital new skills, and they are rewarding for businesses – leading to greater productivity and allowing firms to expand and upskill their workforce.
“As an employer, you can also get funding from the government to help pay for apprenticeship training.
“We’re proud to have partnered with Seriös and would welcome partnerships with other likeminded firms which want to equip their workforce with the skills of the future.”
As part of the government’s current apprenticeship incentive, employers gain £3,000 per for every trainee they recruit in the scheme, also gaining access to funding to offset the costs associated with training (typically up to £15,000 per learner) through Code – a recognised training provider.
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