Intellectual Property Office
Winner
Recruiting IT professionals to keep pace with change within the Intellectual Property Office was a challenge. The solution was to develop a dedicated Apprenticeship Programme capable of recruiting, training and retaining young people with IT and other required skills.
Working with training provider, Acorn Learning Solutions, the programme has seen 32 apprentices recruited and 19 are currently employed by the organisation. Employing more than 1,150 people, mainly in Newport, the IPO also focuses on supporting local youth employment and works with local colleges and schools when recruiting. It plans to take on 20 apprentices this autumn.