New digital apprenticeship delivering future-boosting skills

As the Cornish tech industry continues to grow at pace, the increasing demand for an innovative new digital apprenticeship has seen a leading training provider take on an additional cohort.

CCB Training, the business training arm of The Cornwall College Group, has seen the popularity of its new Digital Support Technician apprenticeship go from strength-to-strength since its launch earlier this year.

For Study Programme Manager James Winnan, who heads up the apprenticeship for CCB Training, the rise in demand comes as no surprise.

“Since the first wave of Covid-19 lockdown, the world pivoted through online digital technologies, making it unsurprising that the future boosting Digital Support Technician apprenticeships have been so popular,” explained James.

“So much so that, in fact, we are adding an additional cohort to this academic year to meet demand.”

As the only provider of the apprenticeship in the county, The Cornwall College Group are currently training apprentices for some of Cornwall’s leading organisations, including Frugi, Naked Solar, Southerly Point Co-operative Multi-Academy Trust and Kings Service Centre (Kings College London).

For Victoria Baker, Managing Director of Technopoly Ltd, they’ve found their apprentice as ‘an investment into the future of the industry… providing an opportunity to bring a different perspective, ideas and enthusiasm to a team.’

James Winnan continued to explain: ‘Employers have high regard for our apprentices as they bring range of benefits to their businesses,” continued James.

“As well as introducing a wealth of current knowledge and expertise into your team, this apprenticeship can help to promote the use of digital systems across your company and boost effective customer service.

“The Digital Support Technician is a brand-new IT apprenticeship standard that is a perfect match to meet the needs of the local economy.”

‘’Any employer looking to take on their own Digital Support Technician can join the latest cohort by getting in touch with the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team.’’

The content of the programme teaches apprentices to maximise the effective use of digital office technologies, productivity software and digital communications in organisations.

On the apprenticeship, two specialist pathways can be selected as a Digital Applications Technician (helping internal users) or Digital Support Technician (supporting external customers or clients), for the apprenticeship to aid both small and large, public and private organisations.

“Choosing to do the apprenticeship was a no-brainer!” said Jamie Kristo, Digital Service Technician for Technopoly Software in Newquay.

“I knew university wasn’t for me, so wanted a step into the industry after my diploma,” Jamie continued.

“I get to have a job with a brilliant employer in my field, whilst building specialist technology skills. I would recommend it to anyone, it’s great!”

More information on the Digital Support Technician can be found on ccbtraining.co.uk. To enquire about hiring an apprentice, get in touch with the Apprenticeship Recruitment Team on apprenticeships@cornwall.ac.uk or 0330 123 4785.