<![CDATA[NiTP Academy For IT Apprenticeships

<![CDATA[NiTP Academy For IT Apprenticeships - News]]>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:51:22 +0000Weebly<![CDATA[James Cutting Completes Tough Mudder]]>Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:00:36 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/06/james-cutting-completes-tough-mudder.html He did it….. Well done to our Portsmouth Recruitment Executive James Cutting who completed Tough Mudder on Saturday 8th June 2013 at Matterly Bowl, Winchester.

James said ‘This has been a massive personal milestone for me, 4 stone lost in total, and going from being unable to run for 200meters without needing a break to running 12 miles and clearing 21 obstacles. The obstacles were excellent fun (except the ice bath). From 15ft drops into a plunge bath, to crawling through tiny waterlogged tunnels, and I would urge anyone to give it a go. I have already signed up for next year and will be taking on the Great South Run as well in October this year.

I never thought that I could actually do something like this, and a mile in to the course I have to say, I questioned my ability to finish. However you can never underestimate the power of perseverance! You really are capable of anything!’

James and 3As would like thank everyone who has supported the efforts for Cancer Research with already £1000 being donated so far. Anyone who would still like to sponsor James having conquered in an impressive 2 hours 47 minutes you can do so at.: www.justgiving.com/JamesCutting2309

]]><![CDATA[NITP Students Shortlisted in Apprenticeship's Facebook Design Challenge]]>Fri, 07 Jun 2013 14:26:33 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/06/nitp-students-shortlisted-in-apprenticeships-facebook-design-challenge.htmlStudents from the NiTP (National IT Partnership) Academy based at South Staffordshire College’s Tamworth Campus have been shortlisted in a National Apprenticeship Scheme initiative. The College works with NiTP to offer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships for students wishing to compete for jobs at the higher end of the industry.

The ‘Can you hack it as an apprentice?’ design challenge aims to help increase the number of young people starting Apprenticeships and respond to employers calling on young people to improve the quality of their Apprenticeship applications.

Abby Jackson (19) from Media Links Online, Tyler Brown Jones (17) from The Rich Media Company, Daniel Lawley (18) from Cadlogic and Joe Hardy (20) from Risual, entered the Facebook Challenge, an initiative to design and develop a brand new App or game for the National Apprenticeships Service.

Abbey, Tyler, Daniel and Joe decided to enter the competition under the team name of C7 Productions and spent time planning, designing and developing their concept App in order to produce a specification. Aptly named ‘Professor Wizard’, the App will be an in depth guide to applying for an Apprenticeship based on creating a profile to help users choose their career path and will include an interview quiz to help people prepare for interviews.

A panel of judges from the creative industries has selected a shortlist of the five best ideas, with each developer receiving £3,000 to develop their design into a prototype beta version. Following testing, the most successful developer will receive a further £10,000 to develop their App or game into a fully functioning product.

With the £3,000 funding they receive, the students will create a beta version of their App to go into testing in late June and the challenge will culminate in a prototype Facebook App or game being launched via the National Apprenticeship Service’s Facebook page in August.

]]><![CDATA[Tough Mudder Challenge!]]>Wed, 05 Jun 2013 08:12:06 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/06/tough-mudder-challenge.html

James Cutting who is one of the Recruitment Executives for NiTP Portsmouth, is taking part in this year’s Tough Mudder South.

Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

‘I decided to take up the challenge as a way to keep my weight loss on target for my wedding. Having started the training back in November I have lost nearly 4 stone and rather than just weight loss target it has changed the way I live. I am running this year for Cancer Research, a charity very relevant to me & my family. After the event I plan on keeping up the training and running as many challenge events as possible next year.

I really appreciate all the support people have given me so far and for those wishing to support me you can find my just giving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/JamesCutting2309’

]]><![CDATA[Max Reynolds – Ambassador for 3AAA Ltd:]]>Fri, 17 May 2013 08:41:42 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/05/max-reynolds-ambassador-for-3aaa-ltd.html Max is delighted to have been appointed as an ambassador for 3AAA Ltd and his welcoming comments below reflect his commitment to support our growing company:

As Head of Apprenticeship Development for BT I chose 3AAA as our partner for the Sector Managed Apprenticeships project. I am delighted to have seen that decision pay off handsomely, as hundreds of apprentices have been employed as a result, and are now enjoying a Gold Standard apprenticeship. Now that I have left BT I hope to be able use my own networks, particularly through my engagement with government bodies and sector skills councils, to promote this excellent company.

Max Reynolds

May 2013.

maxreynolds@3aaa.co.uk

]]><![CDATA[e-skills UK creates over 300 new IT jobs for young people]]>Tue, 14 May 2013 07:58:29 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/05/e-skills-uk-creates-over-300-new-it-jobs-for-young-people.html A partnership between the National Skills Academy for IT, training provider NITP, and BT has created a total of 313 new IT apprenticeships since October last year. 282 of these young people – more than 90% of the total - are working for small to medium sized employers (SMEs).

The apprentices are taking part in the IT Gold Standard Apprenticeship – a new programme, which is designed to help apprentices settle into the workplace and gain technical and professional skills more quickly. They are working towards clearly defined, in-demand job roles and taking advantage of specially developed enrichment activities including a ‘virtual campus’ website and employer-supported events.

The training is quality assured by BT and delivered by NITP at its Further Education colleges in 11 towns and cities across England, with Birmingham and Milton Keynes the latest to join the programme.

Forrest Rundle, an IT Gold Standard Apprentice at Fresh Metrics in Birmingham is excited to be part of the scheme. “It’s a great start to my IT career. I am learning skills with NiTP and applying them right away with Fresh Metrics, so I can really make a contribution to the company.” His enthusiasm is echoed by his employer, Gordon Wilcox. “Taking on an IT Gold Standard Apprentice has given us the opportunity to expand our business affordably, and to profit from a world class training programme quality assured by BT. We’re delighted with Forrest’s progress.”

Peter Marples, Director, NITP, says: “Quality apprenticeships help businesses grow their own talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. More and more organisations are starting to realise this and over 100,000 nationwide are now offering them.”

Karen Price, CEO, e-skills UK, says: “Ensuring that apprenticeship training is high quality and relevant to IT employers’ needs is vital to increasing their uptake, particularly among SMEs. That’s exactly what we’re doing through this partnership, and the number of jobs we’ve created highlights the effectiveness of this approach.”

The partnership plans to create 250 further apprenticeship jobs during 2013. These will be in Bedford, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Tamworth, St Albans and Walsall.

The project received co-investment from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills via the Growth and Innovation Fund.

For more information, visit http://www.itskillsacademy.ac.uk/apprenticeships/growyourownit/al

]]><![CDATA[Over 100 More IT Apprenticeships Created For Young People With SMEs]]>Fri, 03 May 2013 09:29:06 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/05/over-100-more-it-apprenticeships-created-for-young-people-with-smes.html A partnership between the National Skills Academy for IT, training provider, NITP, and BT has created 108 more apprenticeships for young people, 89% of which are with small to medium sized employers (SMEs).

This means the partnership has created a total of 313 new IT apprenticeships since October 2012. The apprentices receive training that is quality assured by BT and delivered by NITP at its Further Education colleges in 11 towns and cities across England, with Birmingham and Milton Keynes the latest to join the programme.

Peter Marples, Director, NITP, says: “Quality apprenticeships help businesses grow their own talent and develop a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. More and more organisations are starting to realise this and over 100,000 nationwide are now offering them.”

One such business is EPOSability – an IT services firm based in Hertfordshire, which has already recruited two apprentices through the partnership.

Its Managing Director, Robbie Francis, says: “For the foreseeable future, our aim is to take onboard two new apprentices each year. Apprenticeships allow us to offer full-time employment to pre-vetted candidates. Investing in them will continue to play a role in our long-term future.”

All of the 313 recruits are piloting the IT Gold Standard Apprenticeship – a new programme, which is being designed to help apprentices settle into the workplace and gain technical and professional skills more quickly.

To do this, they are working towards clearly defined, in-demand job roles and trialling a personal development experience, comprising a ‘virtual campus’ website and employer-supported events.

Karen Price, CEO, e-skills UK, says: “Ensuring that apprenticeship training is high quality and relevant to IT employers’ needs is vital to increasing their uptake, particularly among SMEs. That’s exactly what we’re doing through this partnership and the number of jobs we’ve created highlights the effectiveness of this approach.”

The partnership plans to create 250 further apprenticeship roles in 2013. These will be in the two locations named above, plus Bedford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Tamworth, St Albans and Walsall.

Employers can visit http://www.growyourownIT.com for further information about recruiting an apprentice through the partnership, including the financial incentives available, such as a £1,500 government grant for smaller businesses.

The partnership received co-investment from the UK Commission for Employment and Skills via the Growth and Innovation Fund.

]]><![CDATA[More from the BBC Gold Standard IT Apprenticeship Event!]]>Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:03:45 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/03/more-from-the-bbc-gold-standard-it-apprenticeship-event.html On the 12th March, the IT Apprentices from NITP Walsall took part in the Gold Standard IT Apprenticeship event at BBC North Head Office in Manchester as part of the National Apprenticeship Week. The event was arranged by E-Skills and NITP to encourage IT Apprentices to discover how large businesses in the UK use technology and IT to revolutionise an industry and to grow in the 21st century. The day was a fantastic success and many of the IT Apprentices developed their skills in Team Working, Communication and IT.

Mandy Harrison Centre Manager said “Overall it was a great experience for our BT Gold Standard Apprentices at Walsall NiTP. The whole day was built up of various activities and also meeting other apprentices from our other academies in the North. This motivated our young Apprentices and gave them the confidence to step forward with a career in IT. I was extremely proud of the Walsall Group with the way they presented themselves in front of a professional audience with successful results as this was the first time they delivered a presentation at NiTP.”

Hamza Khaliq, an NITP IT Apprentice who attended the event said, “The day out at BBC was good because it gives you a good idea of the jobs in the future and what to expect but overall it was good”. Rebecca Howell added “It was inspiring to see where IT could take us”.

Another NITP IT Apprentice, Laura Fisher believed “The trip to the BBC was very helpful. The activities were enjoyable and our teams worked well together and was very well organsied". Ashley Haynes added “Manchester was a great opportunity for me to build confidence in presentations and to build team skills”. Joshua Davies and Joshua Ducile (IT Apprentices) commented, “My experience at Manchester was interesting. I learnt knew reasons to why an IT apprenticeship is such a good way to get into employment and I would definitely recommend it to anyone” and “The day at Manchester was good, I learnt more possible ways I can achieve things and how important it is to achieve those goals you set yourself as an IT career”.

]]><![CDATA[IT Apprentices Take Part In The BBC National Apprenticeship Event!]]>Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:27:47 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/03/it-apprentices-take-part-in-the-bbc-national-apprenticeship-event.html On the 12th March, the IT Apprentices from NITP Walsall took part in the Gold Standard IT Apprenticeship event at BBC North Head Office in Manchester as part of the National Apprenticeship Week. The event was arranged by E-Skills and NITP to encourage IT Apprentices to discover how large businesses in the UK use technology and IT to revolutionise an industry and to grow in the 21st century. The day was a fantastic success and many of the Apprentices developed their skills in Team Working, Communication and IT.

Mandy Harrison Centre Manager said “Overall it was a great experience for our BT Gold Standard Apprentices at Walsall NiTP. The whole day was built up of various activities and also meeting other apprentices from our other academies in the North. This motivated our young Apprentices and gave them the confidence to step forward with a career in IT. I was extremely proud of the Walsall Group with the way they presented themselves in front of a professional audience with successful results as this was the first time they delivered a presentation at NiTP.”

Hamza Khaliq, an NITP Apprentice who attended the event said, “The day out at BBC was good because it gives you a good idea of the jobs in the future and what to expect but overall it was good”. Rebecca Howell added “It was inspiring to see where IT could take us”.

Another NITP Apprentice, Laura Fisher believed “The trip to the BBC was very helpful. The activities were enjoyable and our teams worked well together and was very well organsied". Ashley Haynes added “Manchester was a great opportunity for me to build confidence in presentations and to build team skills”. Joshua Davies and Joshua Ducile commented, “My experience at Manchester was interesting. I learnt knew reasons to why an apprenticeship is such a good way to get into employment and I would definitely recommend it to anyone” and “The day at Manchester was good, I learnt more possible ways I can achieve things and how important it is to achieve those goals you set yourself as a career”.

]]><![CDATA[E-Skills Gold Standard Apprentice Event- NITP Tamworth]]>Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:48:55 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/03/e-skills-gold-standard-apprentice-event-nitp-tamworth.htmlNITP Tamworth were eagerly awaiting the BBC Event at Media City and were not disappointed! The event was very well organised; full of informative and useful presentations and a celebrity appearance to cap it all off!
Our apprentices on reflection felt that they had become even closer as a group and been given a unique opportunity to see a business packed full of technology in an everyday setting.
What’s more coming home after winning the ‘Inter-academy challenge’, they were very pleased with the day! Deservedly so!
One apprentice said ‘I never realised how much IT would be used in the BBC, it was amazing’
Another said ‘It was really well organised and I learnt a lot about other people’
One employer – Rich Bishop from The Rich Media Company’ said ‘I felt like a proud parent when I was looking out for my apprentice. I think all of the employers felt the same way. It was great to see all the apprentices enjoying themselves and for them to hear from the inspirational speakers that were there’
Cath Harvey – AM said ‘It was a long yet enjoyable day. It was great to see the apprentices mixing from across the academies, but the victory for Tamworth in the inter-academy challenge made it even sweeter. Not that I’m competitive!’
Sam Ryall RE said ‘It was a really enjoyable day. It was great to see so many apprentices and employers taking part in all of the activities and working together as a team’

]]><![CDATA[NITP Tamworth Comic Relief Madness!]]>Tue, 19 Mar 2013 17:39:06 GMThttp://www.nitp.co.uk/1/post/2013/03/nitp-tamworth-comic-relief-madness.htmlNITP Tamworth organised a charity fundraising fancy dress day at their academy on Friday 15th March in aid of Comic Relief. The event was suggested by Abi Jackson one of NITP Tamworth’s apprentices and involved a number of activities throughout the day. First of all there was a collection around the Tamworth campus of South Staffordshire College. Secondly apprentices took part in a charity computer related quiz and lastly they performed, edited and uploaded their very own version of the Harlem Shake!

The day was highly successful and raised £260 with the kind generosity of NITP directors matching the money that the apprentice had made on the day.

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