>> PAULINE BROWN: 'In 2012, we started recruiting Modern Apprentices in IT Services.
As St Andrews is a great place of learning, we felt we had the right environment to give young people from the local area an opportunity to start their IT careers with us.
Since then, we've taken on over 30 IT apprentices in a range of disciplines including Service Desk, Desktop and AV support, Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Digital Workplace and Web Development.
We partner with QA Apprenticeships who provide us and our Modern Apprentices with excellent support throughout their two year contracted period.
In this film, you'll hear from some of our current and former apprentices who'll share their experiences with you.'
>> ERIN: So I chose to do a Modern Apprenticeship because I prefer hands on learning. I'm not very good at exams, I much prefer being in a learning environment, meeting people and actually immersing myself in the technology.
>> GREG: The University route didn't really appeal to me, mainly because it wouldn't provide me with any work experience initially, and that's something that I really thrive off of, so the Modern Apprenticeship really was the the go to for me.
>> PAULINE: 'Our Modern Apprentices learn from fantastic teams of people who will support and mentor them throughout their journey, and who will enable them to have the necessary skills and knowledge to make sure they are employable at the end of their contract with us.'
>> ERIN: The University has helped greatly with my personal development because I was actually quite shy. I didn't really like to talk to people when I first came, but obviously getting out with people to speak to users and solve problems has really just helped me realize that I'm not bad at what I do. And you know, I'm now confident going into situations that I can fix it and that I will do a good job for you.
>> LYLE: Before joining the University, I wouldn't say I was extremely shy, now working on front desk support, I find it much easier to get my point across clearer and understand people easier.
>> JOSH: It's helped massively with my personal development and the job itself is one that I really enjoy and it's given me many challenges and opportunities to try different things and expand my technical knowledge and my, kind of, people skills and customer service skills as well. The environment that it provides is one that is really healthy and good for seeing as far as you can go.
>> ANDREW: So the University and this apprenticeship has helped me with my personal development in a number of ways. First of which, primarily it's been great for my presentation skills. Additionally, it's been great to gain insight into how the industry works and see behind the scenes on how the University and teams can work together to deliver a world leading service.
>> GARY: Certainly your confidence is always expanding everyday. From sending emails, speaking to people getting more confident with how to resolve the problems.
>> PAULINE: 'For me, bringing apprentices into our workplace has been an extremely rewarding and worthwhile experience. Seeing how a young person develops from their first few weeks where they are very nervous and unsure into a confident and capable IT professional is really satisfying.
>> GREG: Near the end of my apprenticeship, I was given a lot of opportunities to help me develop and prepare for life outside an apprenticeship type role. I was given a lot of work experience, whether that was in different roles within IT and the University or going to external companies. So once I completed my apprenticeship at the University, I was fortunate enough to get a full time role doing the same job that I had basically done as an apprentice.
>> MARK: So following my two year apprenticeship at the University, I gained full time employment at a company in Dundee and the working in first line IT support. The skills I learned here at the University, I was able to transfer over into this new role. I then was able to work there for a couple of years and then manage to apply back to the University in this new exciting role.
>> PAULINE: 'All IT apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship with us have gone on to secure full-time roles in the IT industry in companies such as Rockstar Games, 3000 RPM, Shackleton Technology, DC Thompson, and Fife College. Some have also had the opportunity to stay on with us too, which is great.'
>> ERIN: So to anyone that's thinking about going for an apprenticeship, go for it. Fully immerse yourself and opportunities like this because they don't come around often.
>> LYLE: My advice for somebody is wanting to start a Modern Apprenticeship would be to go for it as long as you're passionate and willing to learn. You don't need to have an extensive like knowledge of the actual sector that you're going into, or like the department, as long as you're willing to learn you'll pick it up pretty quickly from your colleagues.
>> ANDREW: So I definitely recommend it, especially if you're thinking about studying it and college or university. This is another great option.
>> GREG: Not only will an apprenticeship give you hands on experience, it will give you the qualifications you need to take the next step in your IT career.
>> STUART: I think an IT apprenticeship is absolutely vital part of an IT career because you are a sponge to knowledge.
>> JOSH: I would really recommend it. It's where it's at. It's an amazing way to do it, and I didn't think it would be as straightforward as as being able to just come in and do my thing and learn under the great people that are here.
>> PAULINE BROWN: We've also been recognised in the HE and IT sectors for our apprenticeship program. We've won employer awards such as Microsoft Apprentice Employer of the Year, and UCISA's Award for Excellence.
Our apprentices too have also won individual awards such as BCS's 'Most promising Young IT Professional' UCISA's Rising Star, and Microsoft Apprentice of the Year.
I'm incredibly proud of our apprentices and of the program that we run at St Andrews.