Partner Article

ITPS proves just the job for apprentice Beth

IT experts ITPS have expanded an apprenticeship scheme previously focused on its technical services and field engineer teams, with the appointment of Beth Richards as business admin and receptionist apprentice.

The company’s in-house scheme sees around six apprentices a year studying for qualifications and has helped more than 30 young people into work over the last 15 years, with many of them going on to be offered permanent jobs at ITPS or with its clients.

ITPS employs 110 staff at its Gateshead and Chester le Street offices, and specialises in strategic IT consultancy, implementation, data centre provision and unified communications, as well as support services and workspace and disaster recovery.

Beth’s new role sees her responsible for functions such as greeting visitors to the Gateshead-based company, answering calls, dealing with queries, booking meeting rooms and producing reports.

Sarah Seymour, ITPS’s HR officer and apprentice champion, said “Traditionally we have confined our apprenticeship scheme to engineer and technical roles, and Beth’s appointment is the first step towards creating apprentice vacancies throughout other areas of the business.

“Apprenticeships are a long term commitment for us, and have proved their value over and over.

“Bringing young people in at the start of their career allows them to learn about our business from the ground up, and develop skills that will stand them in good stead. It also means we are constantly bringing fresh talent and ideas into the company to maintain the right skills pool we need to be successful. Apprenticeships are a credible alternative to college or university for people who want to earn as they study.

“Beth is very personable and has good communication and organisational skills, and has already made a great impression with our visitors and staff.”

According to the Skills Funding Agency, apprenticeships stand at a record level, with 871,800 funded apprentices in England last year, with the average apprenticeship wage standing at £170 per week.

This year the ITPS scheme has seen two other apprentices join the company and three others successfully graduate. Luke Garbutt and Daniel Richards joined as data centre apprentice and workshop apprentice respectively. Phil Housego has successfully graduated from the programme to be offered a permanent role on the ITPS helpdesk, while Jordan Hepple and Jordan Anderson have been given contract extensions in their roles on the cabling team.

Beth, who lives in Lobley Hill and whose apprenticeship was organised through the NECC, said “I chose the apprenticeship route as college seemed to be more theory based, whereas an apprenticeship is very practical and gives you the experience in the workplace as well as learning along the way. When I first started at ITPS I felt like I had been here for years, and fitted in straight away. I wasn’t nervous because everyone made me feel welcome and they were all kind and friendly.

“I’m really enjoying the job and looking forward to progressing my career here.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by ITPS Ltd .