More than ever before, those with IT skills are going to be in demand from employers who have seen how essential fast, effective computer technology is to businesses.
From enabling staff members to ‘work from home’ to linking up more closely with customers, technology training is key to the future of the UK.
The Bedford College Group has been leading the field and boasts a range of top teachers, trainers and apprenticeship leaders. For example: Staff member Mark Downing was awarded the prestigious “Rising Star” award by the international Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).
The organisation, which launched in the 1990s to meet 21st Century demands for IT professionals, recognised the innovative work undertaken by Mark with apprentices in his role as a Training Co-ordinator at The Bedford College Group.
Bedford College Head of Computing Paula Hobday said: “Mark has made a great impact here with bringing together employers and would-be apprentices in this fast-moving industry.
“Those business links are vital to ensure our students and our classes are right up to date with the very latest demands from potential employers. “Elsewhere they can be on courses where the information they are given has become out of date before the year is over.
”Mark said: “To be recognised by CompTIA for the enhancement we do with apprentices and the local community is fantastic.
“We’re very pleased to be working alongside CompTIA, Cisco, Oracle and other vendors to deliver top class technical hands on education to our students. We owe this award to the ongoing successes of our learners.
”The Bedford College Group is rocketing ahead of other further education providers with its Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) training.”
The Advanced Engineering Centre, also known as the Buchanan Building, now boasts a state of the art Virtual Reality Training suite. In computing the Group works with international names in modern technology leading to a wide range of employment opportunities for young people including:
- CompTIA
- Cisco
- Oracle
- BCS
Bedford College runs full-time and part time courses at all levels, professional qualifications and apprenticeships in digital technologies and computing. For more information visit www.bedford.ac.uk
