Digital apprenticeships are the future of education
SME Connect is techUK’s monthly LinkedIn newsletter where we highlight the work being done by our 500+ tech SME members. As one of the leading technology trade associations in the UK,?techUK?supports different size companies to enhance the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. By providing expertise and insight, we support our members, partners and stakeholders as they prepare the UK for what comes next. We understand the issues that are most relevant to the UK SME tech sector, and we provide them with a range of services and advice to support their growth.?
Welcome to issue #5 of SME Connect!??
To coincide with #NationalApprenticeshipsWeek, February’s #SMEMemberOfTheWeek theme was ‘digital apprenticeships’.???
According to our Local Digital Capital Index 2022, “digital skills is an area of deep concern for many individuals and businesses across the UK”. As the tech sectors grows, so does the demand for digitally skilled individuals. This high demand means that upskilling the workforce and exploring apprenticeships should be part of every organisations’ learning and development strategy. This is key in ensuring the UK is on the right path to become the world’s tech superpower.?
“Apprenticeships should be at the heart of the strategy to level up skills across the UK, but there is more we can do to enable businesses to reach, attract and retain diverse talent, and prepare them with the skills they need. There is a real need to continue to support young people and new entrants into the workforce using apprenticeships, but also to support those in the existing workforce to progress and acquire the skills they need for the future of work.”
- Julian David OBE , techUK's CEO on the need to?reform the Apprenticeship Levy
TechSkills Apprenticeship Awards?
At techUK we believe that digital skills are at the heart of the digital transformation needed for growth and that’s where TechSkills.org , our sister company, comes in.??
TechSkills is a not-for-profit organisation which brings together employers and educators to develop the digital talent industry needs. They are responsible for Tech Industry Gold, the only industry accreditation for education and training relevant to digital and tech careers. This means that apprenticeship programmes carrying the Tech Industry Gold accreditation, are the only ones backed by industry and guaranteed to meet standards for the holistic blend of business, technology, project and professional skills that employers say they need.?
In February, TechSkills hosted the Tech Industry Gold National Apprenticeship Awards at the techUK offices. This event celebrated the fantastic achievements of?Tech Industry Gold Degree Apprentices and recognised the impact they are having on organisations and industry.
Huge congratulations to all the winners!?
? Business Contribution Winner: Ashley Burton, NHS Midlands and Lancashire Commissioning Support Unit ( University of Staffordshire )?
?Innovation?Winner: Tom Bowman , 英国电信集团 ( University of Exeter )?
?Special Achievement?Winner: Shriyansh Sapkota , 英国电信集团 ( Ravensbourne University London )?
?Special Recognition Winner: Anushka Suman, Vodafone ( Blackpool and The Fylde College )??
SME Member of the Week
In February, we asked two SME members to shine a light on the positive impact their apprenticeship strategy has had on their business:
13 - 19 February | Zaizi?
Zaizi was founded by Aingaran P in 2007 and it works exclusively with the UK public sector. They design, build and sustain secure digital services, keeping user needs at the heart of everything they do.?
"There is a shortage of demand for digital specialists. Investing in the training and development of junior talent is a crucial step in addressing the digital skills gap in the UK and helps contribute to increased productivity and economic growth. (...) Hiring a diverse range of apprentices from varied backgrounds brings new perspectives and talents to companies. And most importantly makes a significant positive impact on the services we provide."?
Zaizi was one of the companies highlighted on the National Apprenticeships Awareness (#naw2023) LinkedIn post by UK’s PM, Rishi Sunak . ?
20 – 26 February?| DeltaXML?
DeltaXignia are specialists in?#XML?and?#JSON?change management, offering tools that can support XML and JSON data practices. The company was founded 20 years ago by? Robin La Fontaine .?
"As we supply software for specialist applications, these skills are not always available from outside the company, so we need to develop them internally. Digital apprenticeships are an excellent way of doing this, benefiting both DeltaXML and the students involved. Incidentally, this process also benefits local educational establishments, thus indirectly benefiting the whole local community, of which our company forms a part."?
Next month: Women in Tech
Throughout March, in light of #InternationalWomensDay, we will be focusing on bridging the gender diversity gap during our #WomenInTech campaign which will reflect on the #SMEMemberOfTheWeek’s theme. We are looking for female founders, women in leadership positions or companies supporting gender diversity to submit their case studies for a chance to be selected and highlighted across our channels as our SME Member of The Week throughout March. Apply here!?
For any other content contributions, please find out more here. ?
Upcoming Events?
Some techUK events that might interest you:?
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