Retail IT specialist PCMS has partnered with IT training provider, Digital Native, to offer an apprenticeship route to enter the technology industry.
The partnership comes as IT sector is struggling to attract fresh talent. While 10,510 apprentices entered the information and communications technology sector in 2010-11, this has subsequently fallen to fewer than 8,000 per year. With plans to create three million more apprenticeships by 2020, businesses need to open the doors if we are to improve the take-up of apprentices in the IT sector.
PCMS is working with Digital Native to provide the chance for fresh talent to learn on site in Coventry and potentially gain a career. The partnership has already seen the recruitment of four PCMS apprentices who will commence their training and studying on the job this summer.
Elaine Rowlands, HR Manager at PCMS, said: “We’re really pleased to be working with Digital Native and providing careers for young people starting out in the industry. We are passionate about what we do and being able to share this with like-minded individuals is very important to us. Working in the IT industry, we’re always thinking about the future and what our software could be capable of. Because of this, we relish the opportunity to invest in future generations of talented people who will help PCMS and the industry grow and transform.”
Martin Stilgoe, Director of Digital Native added: ‘We are delighted to be working so closely with PCMS, a leading player in the retail IT industry. The partnership is very much a two-way relationship and it’s really refreshing to work with a company who is just as passionate about our apprentices’ progress as we are. The apprentices placed at PCMS are supported every step of the way and with the help of PCMS we hope they go on to achieve incredible things in the IT industry.’