Work-Ready Apprentices Key To IT Company’s Growth

Finding a reliable source of ‘work-ready’ apprentices with advanced industry training has enabled an IT company in the West Midlands to grow five-fold in the last 18 months.

D & J Henry, a UK-wide computer repair firm based in Coventry, was finding it impossible to recruit IT engineers with the right qualifications and experience until it contacted Pearson in Practice, the UK’s leading provider of IT training.

Since taking on apprentices trained at Pearson in Practices’ Coventry academy, the business has grown from just 15 based in a small office to a complex employing 74.

Managing director Dave Henry said: “We were finding it impossible to recruit the right people and spent thousands on online recruitment agencies and advertising locally. Despite seeing hundreds of people, we couldn’t find the engineering staff of the calibre that we needed.”

The company used its first five Pearson in Practice apprentices to build up the core engineering team, allowing it to take on other support staff to grow the business. The business has just taken on 11 more local Zenos apprentices who graduated at the end of July.

“We could not have expanded without our Pearson in Practice-trained engineers,” added Dave. “They are highly educated in the skills we need, they are focused and enthusiastic, and they are team players, taking great pride in getting high-quality work out to customers.”

Vicky Long, 25, began her Pearson in Practice apprenticeship after quitting the second year of a university psychology degree. She has worked at D&J Henry for six months and is hoping to take a further qualification soon with a view to a career in networking management.

She said: “This is what I have always wanted to do, and I don’t regret dropping out of university. I would definitely recommend a Pearson in Practice apprenticeship; it’s a good way of getting into the IT industry. You get the engineering skills you need and Pearson in Practice gives you lots of support to find a good job. They are really on the ball. I found work within two months.

Jason Moss, Managing Director of Pearson in Practice, said: “We are very proud of our success in providing highly-qualified, work-ready young people for the IT industry – and it’s great to hear from employers about the positive impact our learners are delivering from day one.

“One of the reasons for our success is that we don’t just teach technical skills but we also prepare young people for the world of work.  When they are in the academy, our learners work a 9 to 5 day, five days a week.”