The company is now actively recruiting around 100 new ICT apprentices each year, aged between 17-24 years old. Apprentices will be sourced from numerous locations across the Midlands, South East, North West, North East and London with Atos actively approaching schools and colleges in their local business areas with details of the scheme.
Commenting on the apprenticeship scheme, Ursula Morgenstern, CEO Atos UK&I said: “Our apprenticeship programme gives bright and motivated 17-24 year olds an opportunity to get on the career ladder with a global company, working on exciting and varied projects. Our apprentices have had an incredibly important impact on our business providing the teams they join with a fresh perspective from a generation who are digital natives.”
The Atos Apprenticeship Scheme was first introduced in 2010 in response to a large ICT talent gap amongst 17-24 year olds and the company has significantly grown its annual intake of apprentices since then. Atos’ programme allows apprentices to build a career in IT using formal training and development programmes and a number of recognised qualifications, offering an alternative option to the more traditional University route.
Some of the training academies offered to apprentices as part of the programme teach specialist skills in areas such as cyber security and project management. Atos will be focussing effort on bridging the gender gap between the apprentices who apply this year by trying to encourage more women to join the organisation by being clear about the different roles on offer across the organisation.
Jane Williams, Atos HR director, said, “We are searching for the best and brightest apprentices to join our team. Although our scheme is relatively new we have been proactive in contacting schools in our local business areas, offering workshops and talks from our employees to teach young people about potential careers in technology. We are really excited to get new talent on board each year. At the moment we get a lot more applications from young men than women, it would be good to see more young women apply”
Laura Beaumont, an Atos Advanced Lever User Application Management Apprentice, said, “I am the only one of two female apprentices in my team, but this hasn’t put me off – everyone in the team is so supportive and encouraging, I would definitely encourage other girls to apply. I have a passion for IT, therefore chose to undertake an apprenticeship with the Atos User Application Management team in 2014. I have recognised that there are many options with an apprenticeships and have learnt a lot in my journey so far. It is a great opportunity to begin your career at a young age whilst earning a salary at the same time.”
The application process for apprenticeships at Atos will be open at the end of March, with start dates from June-October 2015.
