UKFast opens doors to 100 more apprentices

UKFast has announced plans to create 100 fresh apprenticeship roles as it continues to play a part in trying to reduce the skills crisis.

The Manchester-based firm has a long track record bringing the next generation on board through apprenticeships with 80 going through its scheme in the last three years and 18% of its current 350 strong workforce having coming through that route.

The decision to increase the volume of apprentices has been partly in response to the growing need that UKFast has identified for programmers and software developers in its own business as well as the more general need for those skills.

“The skills gap is probably the biggest barrier to continued growth across the tech sector, which is why it makes perfect sense to give young people the opportunity to get hands on with cutting-edge technology as soon as they finish their GCSEs or A Levels," said UKFast CEO Lawrence Jones.

“Our apprentices develop at an amazing rate and they’re truly invaluable to our workforce. We’re always looking for amazing candidates for our apprenticeships and this year we have the capacity to take on up to 100," he added.

“We've created a dedicated learning space and invested a huge amount into the young people on our apprenticeship scheme. They deserve the very best start in life and that’s exactly what we give them," said Jones.

Next week is National Apprenticeship Week and the hosting specialist will be putting itself in the shop window as an alternative for those that might be wondering what to do instead of University.

“The bespoke curriculum we’ve built is in line with the digital industry and bleeding-edge business, and is equipped with all the right academic tools to challenge and develop these young people to be the leading digital engineers in the UK," said UKFast’s director of training and education Aaron Saxton.