Member Article

East Midlands managed service provider to make investment in youth after apprenticeship success

An East Midlands family-run managed service provider has been so impressed with the success of its first apprentice that it has plans to expand the programme and make a significant investment in more young people looking to start a career in the industry.

Ilkeston-based IT specialists IDT has recently seen Patrick O’Connor complete an IT Infrastructure Technician Level 3 Course run in partnership with Derby College, and he is now set for rapid progression with the firm.

IDT Managing Director Luke Draper takes up the story. He said: “Patrick joined us in November 2019. Having worked myself up from the very bottom, I knew if we could get the right individual starting off on their career journey we would be able to mentor and mould them into our way of working. Once we interviewed Patrick he had all the qualities we were looking for and knew he would fit right in.

“We chose his course as it gave Patrick the basic fundamentals needed in our day to day life.”

Luke says that Patrick is now one of the 1st Line support engineers and he will continue his progression with IDT.

He added: “Today, Patrick helps our team support our growing customer base delivering high-quality support and customer service, and has already started visiting clients.

“We have already started the process of looking for our next apprentice after the success of Patrick.”

Lawrie Moon, Head of Technical Support Team at IDT said: “Patrick has been a valuable addition to our ever growing team, you know you are doing something right when customers specifically ask for him to resolve their issues. Well done, Patrick.”

Patrick said: “From the very first interview I knew I wanted to work for IDT; the support the whole team has given me has been great. Even though I was, no-one has ever made me feel like an apprentice - I’ve always just been one of the team.

“It sounds like a cliché but every day is school day for me, even now. I’m constantly learning from the senior guys and they always involve me in new projects we are working on to give me further exposure. I’m looking forward to developing my skills and furthering my career at IDT.

“I just want to thank Luke and James for giving me this great opportunity.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Walker .