Ramsac tells Microsoft apprentice: you're hired

Ryan Richardson will be mentored by support manager Matt Shepherd

VAR ramsac has expressed its pleasure at being one of the UK's first Microsoft partners to embrace the vendor's apprentice scheme by recruiting 20-year-old Ryan Richardson.

The software monolith's National Partner Apprenticeship Programme was launched in September, aiming to flood the channel with 3,000 up-and-coming tech support staff over a two-year period. The scheme was part of the vendor's Britain Works initiative, which aims to help half a million people find work by affording them access to Microsoft training.

Stephen Uden, head of skills for Microsoft UK, claimed the apprenticeship scheme was intent on "providing talented individuals with a new route into the ICT sector".

"We are delighted that ramsac is one of the first companies nationwide to participate in what is a groundbreaking initiative," he added.

The apprenticeship process is an intensive seven-month programme of work and study. During the first three months, apprentices spend three weeks of each month in training, with one week spent at work. The fourth month is wholly spent in the workplace, with the fifth and sixth months following the same pattern as the first three.

Once the seventh month – which is entirely work-based – has been successfully negotiated, the apprenticeship is complete. Richardson, who will be mentored by ramsac's support manager Matt Shepherd, described the Surrey-based firm as "a superb place for an apprentice to hone their skills".

"We can give a great introduction on how to best apply IT into real business environments, which is invaluable to young IT professionals," he said.

Managing director Robert May added: “We are delighted to have Ryan on board and believe apprenticeships are an excellent way of introducing young professionals to the rewards of working within the IT industry.

"There are real benefits for employers too – it is an ideal opportunity for ramsac to embrace new ideas and benefit from the enthusiasm and drive that the next generation of IT professionals will undoubtedly bring with them.”