Tech London 500 seeks to place school & college leavers into digital apprenticeships

Small and medium London firms are being offered the opportunity to pledge a vacancy and have the first pick of digital talent leaving school and college this July.

A pre-screened talent pool of 500 candidates, aged 16 plus, will be launched to the market by a consortium of apprenticeship providers under the banner of Tech London 500.

A webinar explaining the scheme, and hosted by Tim Campbell from The Apprentice, is on offer at 4pm on Monday 27th July. Register now at:
http://j.mp/Tech_London_500

There is so much tech and creative talent out there waiting to be given this opportunity. It’s down to us to provide the gateway to employers.

On Tuesday 28th July, a free telephone hotline is launching at 8am, 0808-901-20-44 (Freephone) 0333-012-4842 (if using mobile). Digital hopefuls will be manning the service alongside their training providers.

The first 500 businesses to phone in will be eligible to apply for a free service to find candidates to fill apprenticeship positions in IT and digital marketing, (tech support, web/mobile design and development, video and social media) within just 2 to 6 weeks. The initiative will culminate in a complimentary speed networking event for all winners, at the invitation of the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, at City Hall on 29th September.

Says Consortium Leader and CEO Creative Pioneers™ London, Andrew Carmichael, “We see young people every week who are digital native, analytical, highly connected through social media and born digital content creators. Our job is to make it quick and easy to match our talent to employer needs, and make the process simple.”

The Tech London 500 talent drive for London is championed by Russ Shaw of Tech London Advocates and supported by the GLA and the new tech portal tech.london. Consortium members include BIMA, Creative Pioneers™ London, IPA, Just IT, Creative Skillset, CompTIA, Tech Partnership and BCS The Chartered Institute for IT.

Says Founder Tech London Advocates, Russ Shaw, “London needs young tech talent to increase productivity and take advantage of the substantial digital job vacancies
that exist, ensuring that London maintains a leadership position as the Digital Capital of Europe. Every business can gain by taking on young people to optimize its digital infrastructure and enhance its depth of tech knowledge.”

Says London employer and Tech London 500 convert Mark Williams, CEO of Pensar, “This is a great way to get the pick of the crop of young tech talent, at the point in the year when they are hungry to find work.”

BIMA are really pleased to be helping move the Tech London 500 initiative forward. Encourage alternative routes into the industry and pledging your vacancy is a step closer to bridging the digital skills gap. Bridget Beale, MD, BIMA

To find out more go to techlondon500.co.uk

To join the Tech London 500 webinar on Monday 27th July at 4pm register now at http://j.mp/Tech_London_500