Westcoast embraces Microsoft apprentices

Distributor set to take on second batch of Microsoft-trained apprentices as vendor appeals for more channel firms to get involved

Microsoft’s channel apprentice scheme appears to be going from strength to strength with Westcoast throwing its weight behind the initiative.

The software giant laun­ched its technical sales apprentice scheme, part of its Britain Works initiative, in September 2009, and last December revealed it would be running trials on two further strands: software and web development, and technical sales.

So far, Westcoast has taken on three apprentices under the technical sales stream, and is planning to take a further six on board this year, specialising in both development and sales.

Dominic Gill, partner apprenticeship programme manager at Microsoft, said channel interest was building. “We are already looking at the second round of intake for both of our programmes and we are going to be running both the developer and sales strands with monthly start dates,” he explained.

“Every month we are looking to bring on 10 to 15 learners with support from between one and 15 partners each time. A lot more partners are expressing interest in taking on an apprentice.”

Gill said the apprentice scheme currently covers 16 to 18 year olds because it receives full government backing and is free to partners. Any partners looking for older apprentices will incur some costs for the time being, although Microsoft is “looking into that”.

“We are seeing a lot of interest from the 16-to-18-year age group, but also increased interest from the older [18 to 24] bracket due to the level of unemployment at the moment. Unfortunately the scheme does not cover older candidates just yet,” he said.

Alex Tatham, sales and marketing director at Westcoast, urged more channel players to come on board. “Westcoast was delighted to get involved because we are a Microsoft Authorised distributor and it will benefit our business as well. Once approved, the apprentices come on board and immediately become Westcoast employees.

We have been working very closely with Microsoft on the design of the programme and it has been a fantastic project to work on,” he said.

Tatham added that of the three apprentices taken on by Westcoast, two have pass­ed their three-month assessment stage and are proving to be assets to the business.

“Our next six [apprentices] will be split between our Nottingham and Reading premises,” he said. “They get a year’s worth of training and learn about other aspects of the business.”

Tatham said more partners should look into the initiative.

“It is not just important to the channel, but it is of national importance to the IT industry, to employ young people that are keen and enthusiastic to learn,” he said.