MET pioneers outsourced apprentice scheme

A BIRMINGHAM computer technology company is pioneering an apprenticeship programme that will benefit businesses which do not have dedicated ICT support.

MET (Managed Enterprise Technology), based at Fort Dunlop, this year took on three apprentices from a Microsoft-approved scheme and that move is now set to provide much-need ICT support to a string of other businesses.

Managing director Ian Vickers says: “We took on the apprentices at the beginning of the year and at that time one of our clients, Blue Earth Foods in Redditch, was looking to employ a young ICT person.

“However, they did not have an ICT department as such and so one of our apprentices was taken on to work at Blue Earth, creating a win-win situation all round.

“We take the responsibility for the interviewing and selection process and the apprentice undertakes an induction course at MET’s Network Operation Centre. This includes an introduction to MET’s best practices and our management systems. The young person is then seconded to the site of our client and we support them through regular supervision and helpdesk support.

“Their training  and development is managed by MET and we work closely with our client to ensure that the apprentice is providing the right services and skills.”
Now MET is in talks with Microsoft to further develop this service.

“We aim to place hundreds of apprentices in local businesses and schools,” Vickers said.

Blue Earth Foods managing director Lasse Hansen said: “We are delighted with the way things are working with MET. It means we have the expertise we need on site, with the comfort of being backed by a leading ICT support company.”