Member Article

JB Goes Digital with New Team

A new department has been launched by a leading training provider, with the aim of strengthening the in-house team and offering a new service to customers.

Kieron Hanlon has joined JB Skills Training at the Software Centre in Sunderland to run the new IT and Digital Media marketing team.

As well as overseeing and assessing a team of apprentices who will be delivering the digital marketing for JB Skills Training, he is also tasked with creating a number of products, which clients can then purchase as bespoke solutions to IT and digital activities.

Aged 24, Kieron has extensive experience in the digital arena with companies including Apple and HP, as well as qualifications as an assessor from time served with other training companies.

Kieron, who plays rugby for Sunderland and is about to become a father for the first time with his partner, Natasha, has already taken on the first two apprentices who will be studying for their Level 3 IT, Web, Software and Telecoms Professional qualification whilst working at JB Skills.

Taylor Stephenson, 18 and from Sunderland, has turned his back on a career he started in engineering to follow his dream job working within the digital sector. Taylor, who plays 6 aside football and loves sport, is delighted to be getting a chance to work with something he enjoys – IT and technology. Taylor will be instrumental in JB Skills social media and website development.

17-year-old David Chambers, also from Sunderland, joins him. David has just completed a course at College in digital gaming and animation, so he views joining JB Skills as an apprentice as the next step in his career. David will be responsible for graphic design, digital web content and development; and social media content.

Kieron explains the future benefit to clients:

“Now we have a team in place to take care of our in-house needs, we can also start to sell our services commercially to clients and to small companies in Sunderland who need a website or social media at an affordable, cost effective rate. The team will be boosting both our own presence and assisting local companies get their slice of the digital pie.

“Following that, we will be developing an exciting e-portfolio system to manage JB Skills Training details, courses, learners and funders. This will be bespoke and in time, our aim is to be able to provide clients and customers with their our bespoke version too.

“There is a lot to do and it is a big challenge but it is one I am going to relish and give my all to.”

Dave Macmillan and Jeff Bentham launched JB Skills Training Ltd just two years ago. The company now employs nearly 40 people and is anticipating a turnover of over £4m this year. Dave said:

“We are a forward thinking company and are always looking for ways to expand and improve both what we do internally and what we offer externally. Kieron and his team bring a new dimension to our skills and we look forward to seeing what they can achieve!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Antonia Brindle .