Scotland has received a fresh injection into the IT labour market by Hewlett-Packard and IBM, which are investing in 700 jobs and an apprenticeship scheme respectively. By Helen Beckett [Published 30/09/2010]
Erskine gets new IT hub
Hewlett-Packard (HP) plans to establish an IT hub at its Scottish base in Erskine, Renfrewshire, where 700 workers will be recruited to deliver IT services to UK clients. Marc Waters, HP's head of strategy in the UK and Ireland said the firm's business clients would rely on the hub to offer them secure and highly available services.
"HP has a strong heritage in Scotland and I am delighted to confirm our investment to develop the Erskine site as a hub for delivering industry-leading technology services," said Waters.
Greenock brings on apprentices
Fellow computer giant, IBM, has elected to locate in Scotland for the development of fresh IT talent and has selected Greenock as one of three sites that will train a total of 20 apprentices. The IBM apprenticeship scheme has been developed in collaboration with UK government agency, e-skills, and is currently only available in the UK said Vanessa Gough, recruitment manager with IBM.
“This is a great opportunity for IBM to attract young talent and a way for young people — who have decided not to go to university at the time they finish their Highers — to join a vibrant and forward-thinking organisation, which will help them progress and develop themselves for the duration of their employment with IBM,” said Jenny Taylor, IBM UK graduate and student programmes manager.
Apprentices will perform technical roles in the application management part of IBM Global Business Services. Compared to graduates, apprentices will be performing more hands-on, technical roles and they will have a lower salary band initially.
Once they’ve completed their training, however, there will be nothing to stop them making their own way up the organisation, confirmed Gough. “IBM offers many opportunities for up-skilling and cross-skilling and employees are encouraged to educate themselves throughout their careers with IBM.”
IBM plans to place apprentices into its IT specialist profession. IT specialists develop proof-of-concepts, design, develop, build, test and implement systems to solve our clients' business and IT problems. “As an IT specialist, an apprentice will be a hands-on professional and will develop an in-depth understanding of IBM products, offerings and services.
The Greenock new recruits may also find themselves working alongside sales teams, providing technical project knowledge and guidance to support the work that they do with our clients, explained Gough.
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