When ITFixio announced its new Employer Partnership with The Bedford College Group, the ambition was always to make the relationship about more than simply being connected.
For us, the real value of a partnership between business and education comes from turning that relationship into practical opportunities for students, apprentices and future employees.
That is now beginning to happen. Following the launch of our partnership, ITFixio is currently progressing with the recruitment of an apprentice, with interviews taking place next week. We will also be attending the Tresham College Careers Fair on 22 October, giving us another opportunity to meet students, talk about careers in technology and share what working in a growing IT business can really look like.
From partnership to opportunity
For businesses, recruiting the right people is one of the biggest challenges facing growth.
For students and young people, understanding what career opportunities are available, and how to get started, can be equally challenging.
This is where strong partnerships between employers and education providers can make a real difference.
The Bedford College Group’s Employer Partnership Scheme is designed to connect education and industry, helping students develop the skills needed for the workplace while giving employers opportunities to engage with and develop future talent.
For ITFixio, becoming an Employer Partner provides an opportunity to contribute directly to that process.
Rather than simply looking for experienced professionals, we want to help develop people at the beginning of their careers and give them the opportunity to learn, contribute and grow within a real business environment.
Our first apprentice recruitment is underway
One of the most exciting developments since becoming an Employer Partner is that our first apprentice recruitment process is already underway.
Interviews will be taking place next week, as we look to identify the right candidate to join the ITFixio team.
For us, recruiting an apprentice isn’t simply about filling a vacancy, it is about investing in an individual.
An apprenticeship can provide someone with the opportunity to gain valuable workplace experience, develop practical skills and understand how the knowledge they are gaining through education applies in a real business.
At the same time, it gives ITFixio the opportunity to nurture new talent and develop skills that will be valuable to our business as we continue to grow.
The Bedford College Group currently supports more than 1,350 apprentices across its employer network, with more than 750 employers involved, demonstrating the important role apprenticeships play in connecting businesses with emerging talent.
Creating awareness of careers in technology
When people think about a career in IT, they often think about programming or technical support.
The reality is much broader.
The technology sector offers career opportunities across IT support, cybersecurity, cloud computing, Microsoft 365, networking, data, project management, sales, customer service and digital services, among many other areas.
At ITFixio, our team works across a range of these disciplines, supporting businesses with managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud solutions, backup and disaster recovery and Microsoft 365.
We want students to understand that there isn’t just one route into technology.
There are many different career paths, and the skills developed in the technology sector can open doors to a wide range of future opportunities.
Meeting future talent at Tresham College
Our involvement with The Bedford College Group will also take us directly into the college environment.
On 22 October, ITFixio will be taking part in the Careers Fair at Tresham College.
We are looking forward to meeting students, answering questions and sharing our own experience of working in the technology sector.
Events like these provide an important opportunity for businesses to have conversations with potential future employees, but they are equally valuable for students.
Tresham College’s careers and recruitment events bring together employers, students, jobseekers and the wider community, with previous events attracting hundreds of attendees and dozens of employers.
For ITFixio, being there means we can do more than advertise a vacancy.
We can talk about what a career in IT actually looks like, what employers are looking for and the different ways someone can begin their journey.
Why this matters to Northamptonshire businesses
The skills gap is not something that can be solved by education providers alone.
Businesses have an important role to play too.
By engaging with colleges, attending careers events, offering apprenticeships, providing work experience and sharing industry knowledge, local businesses can help students understand the opportunities available to them.
At the same time, businesses benefit by building relationships with potential future employees and helping shape the skills that will be needed in the local economy.
This is particularly important for growing technology businesses, where demand for skilled people continues to evolve alongside new technologies and changing business needs.
Tresham College is already working closely with employers across Northamptonshire to help address local skills needs, with the wider Bedford College Group highlighting the importance of employer partnerships in supporting workforce development and economic growth.
Investing in people as well as technology
At ITFixio, we spend a lot of our time helping businesses become more secure, productive and efficient through technology.
But technology is only one part of the equation. People are what make technology work.
That is why developing the next generation of IT talent is something we are passionate about.
Our partnership with The Bedford College Group gives us an opportunity to contribute to that journey, whether that is through apprenticeships, careers events, industry engagement or simply taking the time to speak to students about what is possible.
The next chapter of our partnership
Our partnership with The Bedford College Group is still in its early stages, but we are already seeing it translate into tangible opportunities.
With apprentice interviews taking place next week and our participation in the Tresham College Careers Fair on 22 October, we are looking forward to continuing to build those connections.
We hope this is just the beginning.
Because for ITFixio, being an Employer Partner is not about simply putting a partnership logo on our website. It is about creating opportunities, developing talent and playing our part in building the future workforce of Northamptonshire.
And we are proud to be part of that journey.
