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Hub launches in Newcastle to help tackle North East’s IT skills gap

A new hub dedicated to working with employers and young people in the tech sector has launched in Newcastle this month after two years of piloting.

The Dynamo IT Apprentice Hub is an attempt to bridge the gap between school leavers and IT apprenticeships, so young people are ‘work ready’ when they take up an IT apprenticeship.

With the backing of a host of North East tech firms such as Sage UK, Aspire Technology Solutions, Orange Bus and more, as well as input from Newcastle and Gateshead councils, the hub hopes its novel approach to IT employment will provide a significant boost to the growing North East sector.

Backing large and small firms, the hub will help businesses to run apprenticeship programs, offering support from advertising and recruitment to training and assessment, and putting in place a framework to make it easier for IT businesses to take on apprentices.

North East employers have the chance to sign up and support the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub and a launch event is being held on September 19 at Sage UK followed by the start of the first course the following day.

Louise Ball, executive director of Baltic Training Services the training company responsible for delivering the Dynamo Hub, said: “With over 2,000 IT vacancies last year that couldn’t be filled we are calling on the region’s employers to sign up and support the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub.

“The pilot programme has already proved itself successful at offering young people a route to a sustainable career in IT and employers access to a trained talent pool of people able to hit the ground running at the start of their apprenticeship.

“We are holding a launch event for prospective employers on Monday 19 September at Sage UK head office followed by the first Dynamo IT Hub starting at Rotterdam House on Newcastle Quayside the following day.”

Bob Paton CBE, a co-founder and vice chair of technology led employer group Dynamo North East and a key figure behind the creation of the IT Apprentice Hub, said: “It is well documented that the North East has an IT skills gap.

“I’m very proud that with the Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub we have led the way in providing an easily accessible blueprint for success for both ambitious young people and thriving employers offering IT apprenticeships.

“I spent my professional life enjoying a successful career in IT and I’m keen others should be able to benefit from what is an absolutely golden opportunity to reap the rewards of a sector that shows no signs of slowing down.”

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