Back to the Future

Back to the Future

Over the years it seems that apprenticeship schemes have fallen by the wayside.   The days of leaving school at 16 to join an employer who would pay you, train you and educate you seem to have been forgotten.

Step into the void Grant Brummer, Divisional Head of I.T. Skillfinder, who realised that if he wanted to have a dedicated, professional but most of all knowledgeable team, he would need to create it, not only through recruiting experienced consultants but also by tapping into a vast market of ambitious individuals looking to begin their career in recruitment.

In April 2011, Grant and his team set up the I.T. Skillfinder Apprentice Academy. Through a lengthy recruitment process, advertising via press, websites and even Facebook, over 400 applicants submitted their CV’s. Using psychometric testing these were whittled down to 25 young adults, who were then invited to a day of interviews and ‘speed dating’ with the management team.

All four of our young apprentices came from a customer focussed background, whether working in retail or the food and beverage industry. It was their passion for learning and drive to succeed that stood them apart from the rest. Part of the apprentice scheme includes studying for an Intermediate Apprenticeship in Customer Service, a nationally recognised qualification which is equivalent to 5 GCSEs grades A-C. The programme is delivered in conjunction with Hawk Training. (Contact Karen Penny on 020 8891 0992, Karen@hawktraining.comfor further information on Apprenticeship recruitment and training). We are delighted that so far three of our apprentices have already completed their programme.

I.T. Skillfinder is committed to ongoing training, not only with the apprentices but throughout the company at all levels. These apprentices are part of the company’s future with potential career opportunities within I.T. Skillfinder in resourcing, account management or full recruitment. They already are actively resourcing, earning commission and even in the case of Hayley and Danielle, going skiing with the company in February 2012 for hitting target. They are each set personal goals both by the company and by Hawk Training and I am sure that they will be the first of many to graduate from the I.T. Skillfinder Apprentice Academy.

Welcome to Daniel Beynon, Hayley Jenkins, Sally Rowland and Danielle Rumsey, the first of our I.T. Skillfinder apprentices.

I.T. Skillfinder

I.T. Skillfinder provides a more intelligent recruitment service with exceptional results. They deliver the best technology and business talent through specialist industry expertise, providing contract and permanent solutions throughout the UK, Europe and the Middle East. Situated in the heart of the City of London, with a keen focus on ongoing training to ensure their IT Recruitment Consultants have access to the latest ideas, trends and skills to enable them to offer the best service possible.

To discuss any recruitment requirements or joining our hugely successful recruitment team contact Lorraine Bateman, lbateman@it-skillfinder.co.uk(0207 256 3550) in the first instance.