Ordinarily this column focuses on the achievements of an individual technology apprentice every month, but as this is Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we decided to concentrate on the benefits of work-based learning more generally.

Skills Development Scotland has developed 12 digital technology apprenticeship frameworks, all of which have been designed by employers for employers. They cover areas such as Information Technology through to Data Analytics, and Software Development through to Hardware and Systems Support.

Apprentices offer a proven and impactful way of filling skills gaps, and the technology sector has an ever growing skills gap to fill. The benefits to employers of recruiting apprentices include:

• early access to a pipeline of future talent
• improved recruitment and retentions of specialised staff
• better staff retention, morale and a motivated workforce leading to increased productivity and a better quality service
• significantly reduces recruitment costs, especially as SDS contributes toward training costs
There are three main types of apprenticeships, which means there are plenty of options for all types of technology companies, whether a start-up or an established global business, and everything in between.
• Foundation Apprenticeships provide work-based learning opportunities for secondary school pupils making their senior phase choices. They gain a qualification which is the equivalent of a Higher and is recognised by all Scottish universities and colleges, while also gaining invaluable experience in the workplace.
• Modern Apprenticeships offer flexible, tailored training designed to meet your business needs which can help attract fresh talent, or even upskill your existing workforce, while improving productivity, staff morale and the quality of your service.
• Graduate Apprenticeships allow employees to gain a qualification with a respected university or college, and they can put their learning into practice right away, solving problems on real world projects to help your business.

During the launch of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Finance Minister Kate Forbes MSP visited Capgemini in Inverness, a technology company that has truly embraced the opportunity offered by apprentices. Since setting up in Inverness in 2012, they’ve had more than 200 technology apprentices come through their doors.

Darren Robbins, senior security consultant with Capgemini, said: “Our apprenticeship programme in the Highlands aims to provide our apprentices with the broad range of digital skills and certifications to support business needs and inspire them to continue a career in IT. We see massive value in our apprenticeships programme and are confident in its ongoing success in the coming years. “

Proof, not that its needed, that apprentice “digital humans” are essential for the tech sector to flourish.

With 83% of companies recruiting MAs reporting an improvement in productivity, and 79% reporting an improvement in staff morale – and 96% of employers saying they would recommend apprenticeships to other employers – its very clear that the technology sector in particular could really benefit from investment in work-based learning.

Get in touch with SDS, or visit www.apprenticeships.scot or Digital World to find out how your business, and your employees, could benefit from an apprentice programme.