With the tech sector exceeding the UK’s GDP growth by 400%, the high demand for talent outstrips the supply of tech-savvy candidates. Apprenticeship provider QA plans to tackle the issue head-on with their year long campaign, 10K in Tech.
Research has shown that 75% of 16-24 year olds claim they could not live without the internet and that they feel empowered at the level of information it offers them. Harnessing what is already second nature to young people, QA Apprenticeships secured 5,000 apprentices in the space of five years, but the company plans to reach the milestone of 10,000 in the next year.
The campaign is already well underway, with a wide range of support from employers, partners, and education leaders, including Lord Lingfield Kt DL, life peer and Chairman of the Institution for Further Education.
He commented: “I am delighted that QA, an award-winning and outstanding provider of apprenticeships, has taken on the challenge of encouraging and supporting more employers to provide Tech and Digital apprenticeship opportunities in their organisation. I am supporting their 10k in Tech initiative as an enormously positive way to galvanise all stakeholders to achieve the worthy goal of helping 10,000 apprentices start their careers in these vital sectors.”
QA’s 10KinTech campaign complements the government’s new plan to create three million apprenticeships by 2020, and industry heavyweights such as EE, Microsoft and notgoingtouni.com have already made their pledges to the campaign.
Ben Pike, Director of QA Apprenticeships, said: “Technology is influencing every aspect of our everyday lives, from apps, to business, music and even fitness. There is a real need for fresh young talent to cope with the demand and evolution the sector is seeing. Our campaign will see the youth engage with a future in technology, and employers embrace apprenticeships as an industry standard for recruitment and skills.”
QA’s initiative has seen support spreading the full breadth of the UK, including comments from the pioneers of apprenticeships in Scotland.
Shannen Scott, Head of Apprenticeships in Scotland, said: “We’re supporting QA’s 10K in Tech initiative because it is a great way to address a national skills gap that we’re facing at the moment in the IT industry. Investing in young people is really important for economic growth as well, so we’re really, really proud to be supporting this.”
QA and their partner organisations aim to raise awareness of alternative routes into education and how young people can kick-start their careers. The organisation hopes to dispel the stereotypes and stigma around apprenticeships, providing credit and recognition to a business sector that is providing vital infrastructure to global commerce.