IT apprenticeships expected to boom this year

National Skills Academy announces 108 more places in partnership with employers, with 250 more to come this year

Some 108 more software developer, IT technician and database analyst apprenticeships are on offer via a partnership of the National Skills Academy for IT, training provider NITP, and BT.

According to the National Skills Academy for IT, the apprenticeships are aimed at young people and 89 per cent are SMB placements. A total of 313 apprenticeships have been made available via the partnership since it was announced in October.

According to the announcement, the apprentices can receive BT-approved training at its colleges across 11 towns and cities, with the latest being Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

The academies promise to help employers to find apprentices. The employer will pay the apprentice's wages, but the training is "fully funded" by the government for 16 to 18-year olds, it said.

Some smaller businesses may be eligible for a £1,500 government grant.

According to the National Skills Academy for IT, the apprentices are taking part in the pilot of a course that is intended to speed up their learning and skill development.

Another 250 apprenticeships will be offered in 2013 – located in Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Bedford, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford, Portsmouth, Tamworth, St Albans and Walsall.