NEWS
Time to taste the benefits of apprenticeships
Coup – George Ritchie MBE has joined Middlesbrough-based ITS as non-executive director .
Internet of Things have also brought new opportunities through ITS supporting customers ’ data analysis by providing expertise in process data analysis , quality management and process development , with statistical techniques such as Design of Experiments .
Using data management expertise linked to the support of data analysis through modern statistical software can also help ITS assist with process improvement , improved quality , reduced maintenance costs , lower energy usage and the ever more important reduction in carbon footprint .
“ Engaging with ITS is not like dealing with your normal engineering contractor ,” says Malcolm . “ We know this because of the number of projects we pick up because others have failed .
“ One of our key skills is ensuring that the client or their main contractor has clearly defined what users need .
“ I believe many new engineering projects , revamps and existing operations would benefit from an ITS User Requirements Review before they spend their hardearned cash on designing a new solution .
“ We have saved clients millions of pounds by ensuring they understand what they need – and sometimes , most importantly , what they don ’ t need . Many engineers do not do user definition often enough to retain the skills and the ITS team have supported many clients in these techniques .”
ITS specialises in design and implementation management information systems , process control systems , regulatory compliance services , project management and engineering services and vision systems to customers in process sectors such as pharmaceuticals , chemicals , polymers , bioprocessing and energy production .
For more information visit its-ltd . co . uk , email enquiries @ its-ltd . co . uk or call 01642 222232 .
New ITS non-executive director George Ritchie MBE has a passion for apprenticeships . Here he tells us why now is the time to invest in our region ’ s talented young people …
The Eat Out to Help Out scheme provided a huge boost to the
hospitality sector .
It was a key component of the chancellor ’ s Plan for Jobs , which also contained new incentives for another “ oven-ready ” solution to drive local economies and to tackle skills shortages : high-quality apprenticeships .
The financial incentives on offer for employers until the end of January 2021 certainly provide food for thought ! Businesses receive £ 2,000 for each new apprentice under the age of 25 and £ 1,500 for those aged 25 and over .
This will create new opportunities for young people , as well as rewarding businesses , and we need more SMEs to engage with apprenticeships and invest in local talent pools .
Alongside my non-executive role at ITS , I am also the chair of the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network , a collection of trusted and enlightened local employers who are passionate advocates for technical education .
We act as champions , promoting the benefits of apprenticeships to other businesses – as well as encouraging young people to connect with apprenticeships in greater numbers .
The Ambassador Network is regarded by the government as the voice of employers . Ministers recognise that apprenticeships are the catalyst for reviving economic growth and the bottom line for me , as a businessperson , is that apprenticeships make strong commercial sense for sectors from engineering to green technologies and from digital to advanced manufacturing .
Indeed , apprenticeships can work for every sector of our North- East economy . The new apprenticeship standards – more than 550 of them at different levels and all designed by employers – outline the transferable skills , knowledge and behaviours enabling apprentices to make an immediate impact and provide a return on your investment .
Our role now is for employers , Local Enterprise Partnerships and intermediaries to show apprenticeships have all the ingredients for success .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 57