IT apprentices in Edinburgh shared their knowledge of the profession with local MSP, Gordon Macdonald, as part of a national initiative, to help promote the benefits of work-based learning.
The Edinburgh Pentlands MSP spent time at IT Centric as part of the Skills Development Scotland (SDS) ‘Apprentice for the Day’ challenge.
IT Centric is one of Edinburgh’s leading Managed IT Services companies, offering IT Project and Consultancy in from everything from network infrastructure design, build and maintenance to server solutions, security planning and cloud services.
The Apprentice for the Day challenge was launched by Minister for Employability and Training Jamie Hepburn during SDS’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week, earlier this year. The challenge allows MSPs to shadow apprentices with a Scottish employer and aims to raise awareness of the contribution which apprentices make to Scotland’s economy.
During his visit, Gordon was keen to see how apprentices are helping Edinburgh on its aspiration to become the Data Capital of Europe. He met with Modern Apprentice Daryl Hunter, who is currently going through the company’s programme. Funded by SDS’s Employability Fund, the apprenticeship programme aims to support people under the age of 26 to get into the growing IT sector, undertaking hands on training and work experience.
IT Centric has employed 5 apprentices over the last few years, all of them contributing to the growth and success of the business. All are still working in the IT Sector, 3 of them full time with IT Centric.
Commenting Gordon Sayers, Managing Director said: “I have always believed that investing in our young workforce is key to the success of the business and brings a youthful dynamic to the workplace. Modern Apprenticeships have been key to our growth and success and will continue to part of our growth strategy”
The SNP MSP worked alongside Daryl to find out what a typical day is like for an apprentice in the IT sector. He then spent time with the apprentice learning about software and the technical skills required, interacting with clients and getting to grips with a typical day providing innovative IT solutions.
Commenting, Gordon Macdonald said: “I would like to thank IT Centric for inviting me along to complete my Apprentice for the Day challenge and for giving me the chance to find out more about how apprentices are support the technology industry, helping Edinburgh on its way to becoming the Data Capital of Europe.
“Ensuring that Scotland has a workforce equipped with the skills and training required to
support the rapidly growing IT industry in Scotland is vitally important to our economy. The Skills Development Scotland apprenticeships are playing a big part in making sure we maximise the talent and potential of Scotland’s booming technology industry.”
