Government Backs VAR Apprenticeship Scheme

Freedom Communications, a comms-specialising value added reseller (VAR), has received UK government backing for its £2m apprenticeship initiative.

The company, partnered with giants including Microsoft, HP and Alcatel-Lucent, is based in Watford and is set to provide local further education provider West Herts College with a Higher Apprenticeship Programme.

This qualification holds the equivalent to a Master’s Degree when completed to its highest level and students who enrol on the new course are set to learn both technical and business skills.

“Under this scheme, employers combine their own money with government funding to invest in the training they need,” said Matthew Hancock, Skills and Enterprise Minister, in an announcement that revealed Freedom had received funding for this project.

“It’s simple, direct and focused,” he added.

The firm claims that it intends for its scheme to “create a sustainable talent pipeline,” while giving students a stepping stone to their future career or higher education.

Plans To Benefit The Wider Community

An announcement on its website about the apprenticeship plan says there are three main objectives:

• to benefit the wider business community, driving involvement and encouraging participation and local networks taking ownership of skills
• provide an existing workforce with the opportunity to future-proof career prospects by developing technological skills
• create a dynamic workplace that attracts, retains and develops talent.

The company’s investment is being supported by the Employee Ownership Pilot, which is managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.

“Through this project, Freedom will develop a unique technical workforce that will help drive business and economic growth,” claimed Lisa Clark, operations director at the firm.

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