IT jobs: British Gas launches tech apprenticeship

e-skills UK joins British Gas to run IT apprenticeship scheme...

British Gas will accept 30 apprentices onto its new IT training scheme from September 2011 Photo: Graham Richardson

British Gas has unveiled an IT apprenticeship scheme, developed with the help of sector skills body e-skills UK.

The utility firm will offer 30 places on the two-year apprenticeship programme from this September.

Apprentices can apply to work in one of four areas, consisting of software development, software testing, projects and business engagement, and user experience.

The apprenticeship is largely aimed at school leavers who will gain several qualifications, including a level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship which includes a Diploma, the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and "industry valued technical qualifications". Successful applicants will gain new skills through learning in the classroom and on the job, according to a statement released by e-skills UK.

Apprentices will be paid throughout their training.

Applicants applying to the scheme are not required to have any previous experience of working in IT, although candidates are expected to have "a passion for technology and an enthusiasm to learn".

New British Gas CIO David Cooper explained to potential candidates in a statement that they would be working "on real technology that makes a real difference to our business and our customers".

The launch comes at a time when competition for skilled IT workers has increased and employers are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit candidates with the right skills.