Lymington, England based IT firm Bridgeworks speaks to the Lymington Times to announce they have invested in two new apprentices and two graduate trainees. The firm at Ampress Park, which specialises in helping companies move computer data across the world at high speed, will work with Bournemouth and Poole College to deliver a new industry-based training program, as an alternative to the traditional university route.
CEO David Trossell said: “We currently have around 20 staff, so taking on the four new trainees and apprentices represents quite a significant investment for us, both from a time point of view and financially.”
“With universities the way they are, many young people are anxious about the prospect of having £45,000 burden around their neck. We hope that this will enable young people to still have a career in the computer industry through an alternative route.”
Founded in Verwood, England in 1982, Bridgeworks specialises in WAN data acceleration, which helps firms like IBM and Dell move large quantities of digital data around the world at very high speed. It currently works with Brockenhurst College, Southhampton Solent University, the University of Kent and other learning institutions to offer training opportunities and work placements to students.
David said: “Our new apprentices will spend one day a week at Bournemouth and Poole College, and during the rest of the week we will be training them on all aspects of the company so they can gain an appreciation of how the whole business works. It’s as much about what we can give them as what they can bring to us. If we want skilled people in this country then someone is going to have to train them – we feel that by starting this program we are putting something back into the industry.”
It is hoped that over the couple of years, Bridgeworks, which was recently awarded the Data Centre Services Award 2018 for Product Of The Year, will double in size.
David continued: “Our approach is a totally new one – it took us about five years to convince people that is really would work, but now people are turning to us for the solution.”
Bridgeworks also works closely with Brockenhurst College and sponsors its annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) awards that celebrate the achievements of young people studying for A-Levels and BTECs.
If the new apprenticeship scheme is successful, Bridgeworks hopes to take on one or two new candidates each year. For more information visit: www.4bridgeworks.com
David (pictured) with the new team of apprentices and trainees and their training mentor Matthew Sheppard (third from right), who joined the company as a graduate 10 years ago.
