People: IT firm invests in new talent; Gowercroft boss takes on national role
An East Midlands family-run managed service provider has continued its programme of investing in young talent by taking on another apprentice.
Ilkeston-based IT specialist IDT has hired Joseph McConnell as its new apprentice. He will be completing an 18-month Level IT Solutions Technician course with the firm.
He follows in the footsteps of other future talent which is thriving at IDT. In August, Patrick O’Connor completed an IT Infrastructure Technician Level 3 Course run in partnership with Derby College, and he is now set for rapid progression with the firm.
Luke Draper, managing director at IDT, said: “We’re delighted to be able to give Joseph this opportunity to come and grow his career with us. We were impressed by his eagerness to learn, his friendly manner and the fact that we were able to lean on one of our trusted Partners and customers Yarway Group to find us the ideal candidate makes the whole experience just that much easier. A simply telephone call to Luke Whiting, the chief executive of Yarway Group to tell him what we needed was all it took.”
Luke Whiting, Yarway Group chief executive, said, “I am delighted to be working with our trusted IT Service Provider, IDT, to support them through our subsidiary, Mindflex, by delivering a comprehensive IT-based Level 3 government funded apprenticeship to support Joseph in his role as a budding First Line Support Technician. The team at Mindflex felt extremely confident throughout the recruitment and selection process, that Joseph would be both an excellent fit for the role, as well as a cultural fit for the business. Being aware of Luke’s and James’ collective ambitions for IDT, I know how fundamentally important growing a pipeline of talented young people is to their business objectives. I am pleased they have entrusted Yarway Group to support them in this process and look forward to being a continued partner for their wider workforce development and apprenticeship provision moving forward.”
“Joseph has everything it takes to become a huge success at IDT and we look forward to watching him progress his career with us, while we continue our significant investment in the next generation of IT specialists.”
McConnell said: “I am very honoured to be completing this apprenticeship at IDT, since starting here I have been met with nothing but friendly smiles and kind words. In these two weeks I have already learnt an abundance of knowledge ranging from Networking and Advanced IT to Interacting with customers and how to work in a professional business environment. Luke and James are brilliant directors who I look forward to working for every day. Thanks again for this brilliant opportunity.”
Andrew Madge, managing director of Gowercroft Joinery, with Helen Hewitt, chief executive officer for the BW
Andrew Madge, managing director of Alfreton-based timber windows and doors manufacturer, Gowercroft Joinery, has been appointed vice president and honorary treasurer of the British Woodworking Federation (BWF).
The appointment comes three years after Madge joined the board as an executive member.
In his new role as vice president, he will be working with the BWF executive board and president on the three areas identified in the President’s Campaign: supporting growth and future success of our sector; attracting the next generation of talent into our sector; and developing the talent within the profession, with the underlying thread of ensuing the BWF will continue to deliver value for its members as they meet the challenges of a post Brexit economy.
Madge said:”I believe that the BWF has an increasingly important part to play in these uncertain economic times of skills and materials shortages and I very much look forward to helping shape the strategic direction of the woodworking industry, whilst building on the excellent work of those who have gone before me on the board and its executive team.”
