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 project would employ long term unemployed individuals from the Barnsley area as University Trainee Technicians. This would supply the trainees with a 'supported working environment', which would provide the education and training required to enable the individual to take advantage of employment opportunities available. The programme members were employed by the University on its Trainee Technician grade and were required to conform to all the normal working practices of the University.

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).

Further details of this project are available at the BFIT project Website

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