Technology

Posted on July 19, 2018 by staff

Apprentices best way to meet huge tech skills shortage

Technology

Manchester-based Northcoders is urging North West businesses to consider taking on a software developer apprentice.

The leading bootcamp for the North received almost 10 applications for every available place on its new apprenticeship programme that launched last month.

Applications for the first intake of 20 apprentices closed on 6th July. 14 people have already passed the preliminary test and are now course-ready, but Northcoders needs businesses to come on board and employ the apprentices straight away.

The aim of the apprenticeship scheme is to open up Northcoders’ multi-award-winning coding bootcamp to as many people as possible.

Based in Federation House, the business has partnered with leading national apprenticeship provider, Total People, to ensure it gets the regulatory elements of the programme absolutely right.

Once employed, the apprentices will embark on the 14 month programme, spending time at Northcoders’ bootcamp and working as part of a team at their employer’s office.

Successful graduates will earn the City and Guilds Level 4 Software Developer qualification. However, crucially they will become career ready software developers within 15 to 19 weeks.

“There is a real skills shortage in the tech sector, which is why we launched the programme in the first place, and the uptake from potential apprentices has been fantastic. The next step is to match them with businesses,” said Northcoders director of talent and partnerships Amul Batra.

“We would encourage companies from all industries to consider taking on a software developer apprentice as they can access talent cost-effectively and also re-skill their current workforce.”