21 July 2015

PCMS has partnered with IT training provider Digital Native to offer an apprenticeship route to enter the technology industry.

Based in Coventry, PCMS offers contact centre and IT support services, and claims to be a pioneer in developing mobile retail solutions such as customer shopping apps and mobile PoS. Its retail clients in the UK include John Lewis, Krispy Kreme, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Waterstones, amongst others. The firm also operates in the US and has a global network of resellers.

PCMS is actively working with Birmingham-based Digital Native to provide the chance for fresh talent to learn on site in Coventry and also potentially gain a career. It has already recruited four apprentices who will commence their training and studying on the job this summer. 

The firm claims that unlike many other schemes which deliver “short-term opportunities”, Digital Native is focused on long-term or permanent placements. 

“PCMS always endeavours to employ apprentices that can go on to enjoy a career with the company, something which is reiterated from day one of the placement,” states the company. “This approach means apprentices get a real hands-on experience, working alongside people at the cutting edge of IT, while knowing that there is the opportunity of a full time role at the end of the placement.”

Apprentices will have a variety of opportunities to learn a whole host of IT skills, from development and coding to service desk, trouble shooting and sales and marketing. 

Digital Native director Martin Stilgoe adds: “The apprentices placed at PCMS are supported every step of the way, and with the help of PCMS we hope they go on to achieve incredible things in the IT industry.”

PCMS says its partnership with Digital Native comes as statistics reveal the IT sector is struggling to attract fresh talent. Citing data from recent press reports, it says while 10,510 apprentices entered the UK ICT sector in 2010-11, this has subsequently fallen to fewer than 8,000 per year. 

“With plans to create three million more apprenticeships by 2020, businesses need to open the doors if we are to improve the take-up of apprentices in the IT sector,” says PCMS.