by Simon Quicke
25 September 2008
Logicalis has put its weight behind the Advanced IT
Apprenticeship, as part of a move designed to plug the skills gap and develop
mainframe expertise.
The channel player will provide students with remote access
to IBM z Series mainframe in order to gain experience and put up some of its
staff to help with lectures.
Martin Boakes, system z practice manager at Logicals said
that the growing popularity of the mainframe was causing a requirement for a
new set of skills that could react to the demand for the technology.
“As a private company, Logicalis is able to apportion a
section of its working mainframe free of charge, and contribute to the teaching
of technical and business skills,” he said.
The apprenticeship scheme, which lasts for two years, is
backed by the British Computer Society, e-skills UK and the Learning and Skills
Council.
Having announced the course a total of eighteen students will begin the two-year course in September and will gain
an IT Professional NVQ with supporting IT and Financial certification on
completion. After that a further 20 students will be recruited every year.
There has been a growing trend to encourage apprenticeships
with several resellers operating schemes that plug skills gaps in the storage
and networking markets.
Despite the downturn and the recent Home Office indications
it will limit the entry into the UK market of foreign IT workers Tom
Kelly, managing director of Logicalis, said that the skills issue remained a
major one.
“British industry, renowned for its IT, engineering, and
science expertise, is facing a skills time bomb that could hit both the economy
and employability of the next generation. It’s critical that private
industry and educators collaborate to promote the opportunities and career
prospects available,” he said.
