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Towards the end of 1999 the Community Economic
Regeneration Team of Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) and the
Department of Information Studies (DIS) at Sheffield University
identified a joint interest in taking forward a project which
would aim to increase the ICT skills in Barnsley. From the perspective
of the BDA and the local community the success of the regeneration
agencies has led to existing 'High Tec' companies relocating
into the 'Barnsley travel to work' area and new 'High Tec'
companies starting up. These companies have a requirement for
employees with high level technical skills capable of maintaining,
supporting and developing their, often complex, ICT infrastructure.
 The aim of the project is to supply the trainees with a 'supported working environment', which will provide the education and training required to enable the individual to take advantage of employment opportunities available. The programme members are employed by the University on its Trainee Technician grade and are required to conform to all the normal working practices of the University. The project involves a series of three month placements in a variety of University Departments and with Industrial Partners. The placements are under supervision of the departmental and industrial technical staff and enable the programme members to develop the professional/technical skills required in a working environment. The Project is led by the Department of Information Studies, with the folowing University departments also participating:
In addition, each member of the programme is required to attend externally
provided courses on a part-time basis. These are at a level that reflects
the current educational level of the programme member. Individual learning
programmes for each programme member have been developed and assessments
are conducted on the completion of each placement.
In the year 2000 a two-year pilot programme employed
four previously long term unemployed individuals, all of whom have left
the project for full time employment. These offers of employment were forthcoming, due to the skills acquired through the first rate training within the University and also the external training and academic courses that were undertaken.
With the success of the initial pilot programme funding was made available for a further eight trainees in 2001 (Cohort Two) and 2002 (Cohort Three). |
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