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IT and Telecoms sector boasts three finalists in the 2008 Apprenticeship Awards

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced the nominees that have made it through to the finals of the fifth national Apprenticeship Awards, of which three of them are representing the IT and and Telecoms industries.  As the Government urges more employers to offer Apprenticeship places, 1,400 entries were received this year, up from just over 1,000 last year.

BT has beaten off stiff competition to become a finalist in the race to be named Large Employer of the Year (250+ employees), whilst Forum Computers and Complete Computer Systems will be battling it out for the title of Micro Employer of the Year (1-9 employees).

The Awards are designed to recognise those employers who are successfully using Apprenticeships to improve business performance, and the hard work and commitment of individuals currently on, or who have recently completed an Apprenticeship.

Earlier this year the Government highlighted the central role it sees for Apprenticeships in achieving its economic and skills ambitions. The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) will help to deliver these ambitions and grow the number of Apprenticeships to at least 400,000 by 2020.

Skills Minister, David Lammy MP, said "The expansion of the Apprenticeships programme is absolutely key to this Government's effort to equip people with the skills and qualifications that count - and will ensure employers have ready access to the enthusiastic and talented people they need to help them grow.

"I congratulate every employer and apprentice who has taken part in these awards. They are testament to what can be achieved by putting skills centre stage, and I hope many more employers and young people will follow their example.”

For general information on Apprenticeships, go to www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

The website for Apprenticeships in IT and Telecoms is at www.e-skills.com/apprenticeships.

Posted on 21 Jun 2008