Vocational Training / Graduate Apprenticeships

Helping graduates become effective quickly in the IT Services industry

Graduates need on the job training
An off-the-shelf development framework
Tailored to the individual
Industry support
Availability of the e-skills GA
Calling for employers, universities and HE colleges

Graduates need on the job training

Graduates are in strong demand across the range of IT roles - from IT Consultant to Systems Architect, Web Design to Software Support, and a myriad of other customer support and technical roles. With IT Services being all about working with people, employers are particularly interested in skills such as communication, problem solving and team working. Often employers will recruit new graduates from any degree discipline, provided they have strong skills in these areas. Most graduates, whether from a technical background or not, will need a lot more training on the job.

An off-the-shelf development framework

A primary objective is of course to make new graduate employees effective and contributing to the business as quickly as possible. The e-skills NTO, in collaboration with employers and education, has developed the e-skills Graduate Apprenticeship (e-skills GA) which offers an off-the-shelf training framework for graduates and leads to a nationally-recognised graduate qualification, comprising:

• a degree in any discipline
• key skills certificates - such as communication, problem solving and team-working
• occupational competence certificates, within the areas of work carried out by the GA student - such as Software Development, IT User Support or IT Solutions
  
  

Tailored to the individual

The e-skills GA demands high standards, but its flexibility means it can be tailored to suit the individual employer and employee. The programme can be started either during or following a degree course – as soon as the student starts a job in the sector. It is successfully completed once the student has passed their degree and attained the necessary standards of vocational competence and Key Skills. En route to completing the full GA, interim certificates may be awarded to recognise key milestones – this is particularly helpful for under-graduates undertaking work experience.

A Graduate Apprenticeship offers:

• a nationally-recognised development route incorporating both degree and work-based competence
• an integrated, modular plan for all skills and training, including vocational and employability skills
• practical training leading to the achievement of national occupational standards
• coaching in Key Skills such as communication and problem solving
• a motivational programme to attract the best graduates and make them effective more quickly
  
  

Industry support

The programme has been piloted with a range of employers, including small and medium size companies as well as major internationals such as Unisys, Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computer Corporation.

Please click on the link below for an example of the practical benefits of the e-skills GA for Unisys.

Unisys pilots e-skills GA

Availability of the e-skills GA

The e-skills GA is available from the following universities and higher education colleges for Sept 2001 – March 2002 starts. Click here for further information and contact details.

• Buckinghamshire and Chilterns University College
• Carshalton College, Surrey
• Chester College of Higher Education
• City University, London
• Coventry University
• Leeds Metropolitan University
• Loughborough University
• Thames Valley University
• The Open University
• University of Luton
• University of Portsmouth
• University of Teesside
• University of Wolverhampton
  
  

Calling for employers, universities and HE colleges

A number of universities and higher education (HE) colleges have already developed e-skills GA components to their courses, with both education and industry recognising the value of a new pipeline from university to industry that increases the employability of new recruits.

The e-skills GA framework is ideal for large companies that wish to develop or align their own in-house graduate development programme to recognised national standards and qualifications. Smaller companies, which do not have their own in-house training facilities, can work with their local university or HE college to develop and deliver a programme suited to their needs.

Universities, HE colleges and employers that are interested in using the e-skills GA, should contact Christine Sanderson at the e-skills NTO.

Contact: Christine Sanderson on or