Eurotech Case Study

Work-based Apprenticeships play a part in Eurotech’s Growth
Eurotech Computers began in 1993 providing IT products and services to the oil and gas industry and has now grown and diversified to provide hardware and software for a wide range of customers.

Why Apprenticeships?

For its first eight years the company was composed of senior staff with extensive experience in the specialised field of oil and gas IT.  As the company grew it became apparent that, as Eurotech worked in such a specialised field, it would be difficult to recruit junior staff with the necessary experience.  A Government advert alerted MD Bernie Boyce to the benefits of work-based apprenticeships.  At that time apprenticeships were only open to learners under 25 who, as now, did not have a degree. “We had two reasons to look for learners”, commented Bernie, “We wanted someone who was willing to commit to learning the company’s business, someone with the ability in time to move up to senior level and we also wanted to “put something back” into the workplace by offering this employment opportunity”.  Eurotech discovered Neighbour Training at the same time through the Government campaign.

Apprenticeship Advantages

Eurotech Computers has found there have been added benefits from workplace learning for first job learners. The structured learning pattern bridged the gap between school or college and the workplace environment.  “It is often difficult to give a new recruit enough work to do until they are trained”, added Bernie, “but with NVQs any spare time the learner has can be spent on their portfolios”.  This instils in them the right attitude to work and hopefully, encourages initiatives and ambition to progress.

Structured Learning

Eurotech also found the structured pattern of learning, with monthly visits from the learner’s assigned assessor meant that it was much easier to review progress. “Normally, new employees have a six month review”, said Bernie, “reviewing them with the assessor at the regular meetings for employer input meant that we could easily see their progress and so keep the recruit on the right track”.

Three Apprenticeships

Jordan Buckenham was Eurotech’s first learner.  He undertook IT for Users at Level 3 and on completion of that went on to pass an Advanced Apprenticeship in Management.  His success in work place learning proved to Eurotech that it was worthwhile investing in expensive industry-specific courses to help him move up in the company.  Following Jordan’s success, Chris Maidment completed an Apprenticeship in IT followed by an Advanced Apprenticeship in IT at Level 3.  He has gone on to study and OV BSC in Computing & Business.

Bernie’s daughter, Charlotte, worked for Eurotech in a sales and marketing role and undertook an Advanced Apprenticeship in Customer Service, this motivated her to enrol for a marketing degree at Bournemouth University.