Leading IT solutions consultancy ramsac has shown its commitment to nurturing young and upcoming IT talent by recruiting 20-year-old apprentice Ryan Richardson. Ryan, who lives in Guildford, joins ramsac’s team as part of the Microsoft Partner Apprenticeship Programme, which aims to match enthusiastic and qualified Microsoft Certified technical support staff with companies that want to offer opportunities for training and experience.
Robert May, Managing Director of ramsac explains, “We are delighted to have Ryan on board and believe apprenticeships are an excellent way of introducing young professionals to the rewards of working within the IT industry. There are real benefits for employers too - it is an ideal opportunity for ramsac to embrace new ideas and benefit from the enthusiasm and drive that the next generation of IT professionals will undoubtedly bring with them.”
The Microsoft Partner Apprenticeship Programme enables IT organisations to find and take on qualified technical support staff with the full cost of the training funded by the Government. The programme's intensive learning period also ensures apprentices are up-to-speed and of value to the business much faster than in a traditional apprenticeship.
Stephen Uden, Head of Skills for Microsoft UK, comments, “We are delighted that ramsac is one of the first companies nationwide to participate in what is a groundbreaking initiative. Part of Microsoft’s Britain Works Employment initiative which aims to help 500,000 people into jobs through access to Microsoft skills and training, the Partner Apprenticeship has been designed for and developed by the ICT companies that make up Microsoft’s Partner Network. Its aim is to allow Partners to develop Microsoft Certified technical support staff with the full cost of the training funded by the Government whilst providing talented individuals with a new route into the ICT sector”
The Microsoft Partner Apprenticeship programme is split into four parts, with the apprentice having a combination of intense learning and integration into the workplace:
• For the first three months the apprentice has three weeks in training and one week in workplace per month
• The apprentice then spends one month in workplace
• During the following two months the apprentice spends a further three weeks in training and one week in the workplace per month
• During the final month the apprentice is based in workplace, following which the Apprenticeship is completed
Ryan joins the Godalming-based ramsac team that prides its self on offering stress-free IT services to a wide range of clients. May adds, “ramsac is a superb place for an apprentice to hone their skills as we have a wide variety of clients, both in terms of size and type – from SMEs to Schools and charities – and different levels of support, from telephone support to full IT management. We can give a great introduction on how to best apply IT into real business environments, which is invaluable to young IT professionals.”