2008 Employer of the Year Micro business (1 – 9 employees) - Forum Computers
Craig Clarke
Employer of the Year Micro business
Employer – Forum Computers
Learning Provider – ISIS Training & Recruitment Ltd
We see the young employees working in the workshop and in the shop
Matthew says “Forum Computers employees five young people at the moment, 3 of which on the apprenticeship schemes. We’re a learning business, we’re in technology it moves on everyday, I need people that are adaptable.”
Craig is taking a laptop apart
Craig says “Doing the apprenticeship allows you to gather more key skills, it allows you to get the experience that you need. Because you’re not just sat at home doing work you’re actually on the job getting the experience while you’re doing the work as well.”
Matthew is teaching Craig in the shop
Matthew says “The fantastic thing about the apprenticeship is that I teach the bits that I know, the bits that I don’t know that is all dealt with externally. So we have trainers come in and pick up those extra skills, the skills that I’m not very good at doing.”
Craig says “I feel that I’m not only well positioned to develop my career but anybody else in the job that I’m at the moment I can help them progress through their apprenticeship as well.”
We see other apprentices working on hard-drive
Matthew says “The difference between somebody just working here and somebody being an apprentice is that it is more of a career. It isn’t just a short-term gap, or just a job.”
Craig says “The nice thing with doing the apprenticeship as well is once you finish one you can then go on to do another apprenticeship as well, leading you to have more qualifications for the job that you are doing.”
We see more apprentices working on computer components and in the shop with customers
Matthew says “Their confidence grows with their qualifications. They move on levels and you can see they are growing as people.”
Craig says “I’m looking forward to a bright future, I’m looking to stay on with Forum Computers and help it progress as a company.”
Matthew says “Apprentices have been a big part of our success and will continue to be a big part of our success.
Forum Computers, finalist for the Micro Employer of the Year Award at the Apprenticeship Awards 2008.