Sunderland ITeC

Improving skills, creating potential

Welcome to a whole world of opportunity

CONTENTS

Business Administration and Customer Service P. 4 Information Communications Technology P. 6 Supporting local business P. 8 Electronics and Engineering P. 10 Warehousing and Storage P. 12 Employer Benefits P. 14

Sunderland City Information Technology Centre was established in 1982 to deliver high quality work-based learning. We have over 27 years experience of delivering flexible and tailored training which has been achieved by working closely with local employers and other key partners. Since then we have been privileged to receive a steady stream of over 2000 learners through our doors and whilst this is a significant number, we have always concentrated on the quality of our provision. Our priority is to give people the skills and qualifications that local employers want and need. As a result we have seen steady growth in student numbers and the current average number of students we train each year now totals 130. It is important to us that our learners attain qualifications that will enhance their prospects of finding employment and a successful career. Sunderland ITeC provide Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships in Business Administration, Customer

Service,Warehousing & Storage, Electronic Engineering and Information and Communications Technology in both using ICT applications and ICT maintenance and support, which are all important skills that are constantly in demand. ITeC is based close to Sunderland Liz Nelson, City Centre in purpose designed ITeC Manager premises on the Southwick Industrial Estate. We have floor space of 5000 square feet, which consists of specially designed training workshop areas for Electronic Engineering, Business Administration and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The centre is well equipped, having a private network of up to fifty computers with the very latest software available. In addition, we also have lecture room facilities and a resource centre for group learning and meetings. Sunderland ITeC 3

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It was really helpful to be able to put what we were learning at ITeC in to practice in the workplace

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Lisa Harper, Sunderland ITeC

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Business Administration and Customer Service Administrators play a vital role in all companies by handling day-to-day tasks and making sure the business runs successfully. An Apprenticeship in Business Administration will provide employment and training in a role that can offer an excellent starting point for progressing into management. Without Administrators, information would be hard to find, meetings sure to be missed and businesses would be much less productive. Administrative work requires a strong sense of responsibility, accuracy and attention to detail and this is something we actively encourage at ITeC. The success of any business or organisation totally depends upon the way customers are treated. A positive customer experience is enhanced by good customer

service. This will make them much more likely to come back again as repeat customers or recommend your business or organisation to others. Apprentices will usually work at the front, customer-facing side of an employer’s business activities and regularly assist customers, whether they be internal or external.

For both the Business Administration & Customer Service qualifications, learners are recruited directly to the workplace and come to us for one day every fortnight for technical certificates, key skills, and other skills training.They spend the rest of their time at work on their employer’s premises. Additional

support is provided by staff out of hours to accommodate learner and employer requirements. • Both Apprenticeships take approximately 12 months to complete • Entry requirements - Preferably GCSEs grades C or above.

ITeC train all Apprentices to focus on offering reliable advice and answering questions or being able to handle complaints more effectively. To properly assist customers, you’ll need clear and up-to-date knowledge of your organisation’s products and services. Retaining customers through excellent customer service produces many positive benefits for the organisation aside from the obvious revenue and profit results.

77% of employers believe Apprenticeships make them more competitive and 76% say that Apprenticeships provide higher overall productivity

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“I left school and decided that college wasn’t for me, I heard about Sunderland ITeC and applied for an Apprenticeship position. I started my placement at Sunderland Magistrates Court and was offered a full time position within 8 months. I completed my Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship. It benefitted me, because it allowed me to gain my qualifications in a working environment, I’d recommend it to anyone!” Sunderland ITeC 5

Information Communications Technology - ICT Professional

“I’d always been quite good with computers and electronics so for me, an IT Apprenticeship made total sense.

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ICT is used to reach more customers, to offer better services, to reduce costs and to improve efficiency and IT professionals with the right skills will always be in demand.

IT roles include: Help Desk 1st and 2nd Line support; System support Technician/ Engineer; IT Installation Engineers; IT Network Architecture and Network Security Technician and IT Field Service Engineer.

The Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector employs more than 400,000 people in the UK alone. The industry will always need bright people who want to take the initiative, whether it is in reinventing business processes using ICT or designing some complex ICT Network. It is a fast moving and dynamic industry sector offering lots of prospects.

Even when there is an economic downturn there is still a growing demand for people with the right skills and expertise and this is where Sunderland ITeC has helped me most.

They have supported me all the way. The result has given me a ‘toolbox’ of skills that I can call on now that I’m in the world of work.”

management, communication and organisation roles.

83% of employers rely on their Apprenticeship programme to provide skilled workers that they need for the future

ICT jobs all have some technical content, ranging from the deep technical skills required by an ICT Network Systems Engineer, to more general knowledge skills in project

In addition to technical skills, working in ICT requires people skills. Employers are particularly interested in people with problem solving skills, who are strong communicators and have the ability to work in teams. The opportunities for career advancement, self development and financial reward are excellent. Research shows that Apprenticeships earn on average over £100,000 more throughout their lifetime than other employees.

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Nine ITeC students have become valued ITPS employees and this year is no exception as we plan to take a further four ITeC apprentices onto our payroll. In fact, one of our Senior Data Centre Engineers, Paul Sanderson, was our very first ITeC Apprentice

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Today, ICT plays an integral role in the success of all businesses.

Paul Anderson, Service Director, IT Professional Services (ITPS)

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Name: David Cummings Studied: Information, Computer Technology Employed: New Seaham School

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What I learned at ITeC was put straight in to practice at work - this is something that continues even now...

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Name: Tamsin Head Studied: Business Administration Employed: Sunderland Magistrates Court

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Name: Ross Beaton Studied: Engineering Employed: Suregrave

We’ve had a partnership with ITeC for years now - and Ross is the latest recruit to be employed by Suregrave...

It’s not all about the number of students with ITeC I’ve always felt like it’s what’s best for me that matters most and that’s great

Phil Hayes,Technical Engineer

Tamsin Head, studying Business Administration

57% of employers report a high proportion of their Apprentices going on to management positions within the company. Supporting Local Businesses

Sunderland ITeC 9

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I’ve had plenty of help and support whenever I’ve needed it

Ross Beaton, ITeC Engineering student

Electronics and Engineering Electronic Technology is used to reach more customers, to offer better services, to reduce costs and to improve efficiency. Electronics and Engineering professionals with the right skills will always in be demand. The industry will always need bright people who want to take the initiative, whether it is in reinventing business processes using electronics skills or maintaining some complex piece of machinery. It is a fast moving and dynamic industry sector offering lots of prospects. Engineering jobs all have some technical content, ranging from the deep technical skills of a Maintenance Engineer, to others that require less detailed and more general knowledge for example assembly and organisation roles.

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Electronics and Engineering professionals (also known as Engineering Technicians) support engineers in the research, design, development, repair or maintenance of a range of electronic products, from audio systems to electronically controlled machinery. Electronic Technicians may help to develop and maintain the equipment used to control and manage processes, systems and machinery in many different areas. To be an Electronic Engineering Technician, you must have strong technical skills together with a logical, accurate and methodical approach to your work, with the ability to stay calm under pressure. Technicians often work in a team and require strong communication skills

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and the ability to read and interpret technical drawings and plans, and to explain them to others. As you will be working with electrical wiring, you will need normal colour vision.

Engineering Entry requirements are GCSE grades C or above. Technical certificate delivered at South Tyneside College on day release

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Current Thinking is a local company that has been associated with Sunderland ITeC for over 12 years and during this time the ITeC has provided us with 15 Apprentices. These young people have been employed with us in Electrical /Electronic assembly and maintenance and more recently, a number have also been employed in administration roles too. We have found the candidates that ITeC have provided to be of a very high calibre and what’s more, they are actually dedicated to their chosen career. The support given by ITeC in the way of ongoing training and support is of a high nature too as each of our Apprentices are visited on site by ITeC staff who carry out further training and development work with the young people. All of the staff are friendly and helpful and often on hand even out of hours, where they can help with any queries or problems that could occur when you are dealing with young people. Steve Binks, Managing Director Sunderland ITeC 11

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I have learned about everything from goods inward and checking quality through to the storage and transport of materials

Stewart Woodhouse Canford Audio

Warehousing and Storage Warehousing skills are used across all industries and by almost every business, who rely on them in some form or another. Britain’s transport and distribution industry needs intelligent, highly motivated young people who are keen to carve out a career for themselves as Transport and Distribution specialists.Warehouse Specialists - organise the handling, storage, packing and movement of goods in and out of the warehouse. To do this job well you’ll need to be highly organised and ready to take responsibility. As a Warehousing and Storage Apprentice, you might learn skills in operating specialist machinery to get things onto - and down from - high storage spaces; learn about keeping some goods at low temperatures; and improve your spatial awareness, so that you can quickly and

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efficiently load objects of different shapes and sizes. Your duties will depend on your employer, but you could manage stock; audit inventory; keep equipment in good working order; process returned goods; or manage the receipt, storage and dispatch of goods.You might even learn how to maintain the safety of hazardous goods and materials. Good teamwork is important when you’re working to a tight schedule, such as loading or unloading a lorry that can only wait for a little while before it needs to go on to the next job. An Apprenticeship in Warehousing and Storage qualifications are highly regarded in the industry and prove your competence to do the job.What is more you can use the award as a stepping stone to further training.

What employers think of apprentices: “Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to get on in life, to be provided with a trade that they can work with and build upon for the rest of their career” Ian David Wright MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibility for Apprenticeships

• 83% rely on their apprenticeships programme to provide the skilled workers that they need for the future.

• Two-thirds believe their apprenticeship programme helps them fill vacancies more quickly • 88% believe that apprenticeships lead to a more motivated and satisfied workforce. • 59% report that training apprentices is more cost effective than hiring skilled staff. • 59% believe apprenticeships lead to lower overall training costs and 53% feeling that they reduce recruitment costs.

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Qualifications with real employer benefits Apprenticeships ensure that your workforce has the practical skills and qualifications your organisation needs right now and also in the future. The Apprenticeship Framework ensures they learn the skills that work best for your business. It is an excellent way of meeting skills shortages by ensuring that new employees receive the right training or existing staff are upskilled. As a new employee an Apprentice brings you a highly capable and motivated person who could be qualified in your area of the business after just 12 months depending on the occupational sector. Their training is ‘on the job’ which means they can directly gain from the skills and experience of those around them. It could also be an ideal opportunity for your existing staff to learn new line management and mentoring skills which will help to spread their knowledge and skills to your workforce.

As a leading local training provider, Sunderland ITeC works in partnership with employers of all shapes and sizes. We work with a wide range of public sector employers such as Sunderland City Council, Secondary Schools, City of Sunderland Hospital and Her Majesty’s Court Service (covering County, Crown and Magistrates Courts in Newcastle, Sunderland, South Shields and Durham). We also work closely with local businesses including Canford Audio,Turbo Power Electrical Engineering, Current Thinking, IT Professional Services and Knowledge IT.

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Garry Rowley Business Admin Assessor

Julie Little Employer Engagment Officer

Ryan Mason Business Admin Assessor

John Morgan ICT Assessor

Stuart Graham Electronic Engineering & Warehousing Assessor

Lisa Lannen Business Administration/ Customer Service Assessor

Brian Grey Education & Development Officer

Lisa Harper Centre Administrator

Learners are also encouraged to progress beyond Apprenticeships and Advanced Apprenticeships many going on to Foundation Degrees and BTEC Higher National Certificates or Diplomas. To find out more call Liz Nelson on 0191 549 2842 or email [email protected]

ITeC Success to date In a recent on-line survey with over 40 employers, we are proud to have achieved a 100% success rating. Every employer that responded said they would not hesitate to work with us again and use ITeC for their Apprenticeship training needs in the future.

Meet the ITeC team

For further information visit the following links: www.lsc.gov.uk www.apprenticeship.org.uk www.aimhigher.ac.uk

Faye Edmundson Admin Assistant

ITeC have 10 full-time staff much of the success is due to the commitment of the staff in working closely with the employers and students, this can mean working outwith the normal 9-5 to ensure that learner/employer needs are met. Considerable pastoral support is given to the learners to ensure that they do succeed and meet their career aspirations and gain employment.

Email: [email protected]

Concept design and production by informnorth creative services T: 0191 5866 010 or E: [email protected]

Apprenticeship Manager: Liz Nelson

Unit 6A, Southwick Industrial Estate, North Hylton Road, Sunderland. SR5 3TX Tel: 0191 549 2842 Fax: 0191 516 0638