We're delighted to announce that QA, the UK’s leading provider of tech and digital apprenticeships, has been awarded a national contract to deliver high-quality, innovative apprenticeships to Civil Servants nationwide. Under the two-year contract, QA will deliver an extensive range of apprenticeship programmes in project management, digital and technology from May 2022, in partnership with Paragon Skills.
The contract follows a formal tender process managed by the Cabinet Office on behalf of the Civil Service Apprenticeship Unit, and is one of a number awarded by the government. The announcement follows the publication of the Civil Service Apprenticeships Strategy 2022 to 2025, which outlines an ambition for 5% of the UK Home Civil Service workforce to be made up of apprentices. It will see QA continuing to support the Civil Service to develop its talent pipeline in the face of the ever-growing tech skills gap, grow capabilities and realise the ambitions of the Civil Service Apprenticeship Strategy.
Paul Geddes, CEO at QA commented: “Apprenticeships are a vital means of introducing new digital and tech skills into workplaces, either by providing entry-level opportunities or to re-skill the existing workforce. The government’s renewed commitment to deliver apprenticeships across the Civil Service will help support its efforts to close the digital skills gap and QA is looking forward to supporting these ambitious plans.”
Individuals enrolled under the contract will join more than 2,500 apprentices from almost 50 government departments and agencies already trained by QA. They will undertake programmes focused on the most in-demand tech skills including data, cybersecurity, IT, software development, cloud and DevOps. Apprentices will benefit from the largest specialist in-house tutor and coaching teams in the UK, accessing a curriculum that combines online, offline and live learning.
Peter Maxwell, Director of Government Services at QA added: “This award is an endorsement of the success we have created for Civil Service apprenticeships over the past four years, enrolling and supporting apprentices across so many departments, with the majority completing their programme with distinction or merit. We are looking forward to continuing to grow that success and support the Civil Service’s apprenticeship goals.”