Businesses can tap into a new pipeline of tech talent thanks to the success of an innovative training programme.
RAW Digital Training is part of DurhamWorks delivering their Digital Talent Programme, taking unemployed 16-24-year-olds from County Durham and giving them work-ready teach and digital skills.
More than 100 learners have already successfully accessed expert training from industry leaders in the fields of games development, cyber security, website creation, and digital marketing as part of the programme.
But 50 more learners are currently going through their training and will soon be ready for the world of work.
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) can access grants towards the salaries of young people, up to £5,000 (excludes apprentices) as part of the programme, which is being delivered by Stockton-based RAW Digital Training, in partnership with DurhamWorks, a County Durham Youth Employment Initiative programme funded by the European Social Fund, designed to get unemployed 16-24-year-olds into employment through specialist programmes.
But this 12 month grant is only available until the end of April – so companies are being encouraged to act now.
And businesses from Newcastle to Teesside can access these prepared learners completely free, and benefit from the new skills and talent in their workforce.
RAW managing director Joanna Wake said: “We have a number of candidates looking for jobs, including graduate roles and apprenticeships, roles they’re looking to secure include things like data, IT, digital marketing and software development.
“Digital is a part of most businesses now and a wide variety of sectors can benefit from this enthusiastic talent.
“We’ve had excellent successes so far with people gaining careers in tech and digital and are keen to keep the momentum going.
“The commitment and effort put in by our participants on the programme is fantastic to see and certainly bodes well for their future career prospects.
“Businesses wanting to access talent from our programme will find a super easy journey, whether they’re looking for an apprentice, trainee or graduate.
“It’s an ideal free service for businesses, whether you are a non-digital company looking for your first social media marketing apprentice, or you’re a fast growing tech company looking to build your internal talent pipeline.”
“The £5000 grant is a pretty unique offer which SMEs can tap into to help with the salary costs of their new recruit. We have some truly fantastic graduates in maths, computer science and more, who would be an asset to any employer.”
More about the RAW Digital Talent Service can be found at rawdigital.training/employers/
• Pictured above: RAW Digital Training managing director Joanna Wake (left) and RAW Digital Talent lead Eve Bourne (right) with learners on the firm’s Digital Talent Programme in Durham, Thomas Popham, Robert Morgan, Liam Reed, Byron Webster, Tony Dimmock-McGarr and Ashley Dunn.