Scottish Finance Minister Visits Inverness During Apprenticeship Week
Scotland’s finance minister Kate Forbes met with the newest group of Graduate Apprentices for the tech firm Capgemini. These eight cybersecurity graduates, who began their work with the firm only four months ago, gave her a tour of their highly secure cyber defense room and their offices.
Capgemini set its roots in Inverness in 2012. They have been fully committed to employing apprentices since that time. To this date, they estimate more than 220 apprentices have been trained by their security consultants.
The Capgemini office in Inverness currently employs 24 cybersecurity apprenticeships. Among these are 16 modern apprentices and 8 graduate apprentices.
There are more than 13,000 jobs available annually in the digital sector. Using opportunities like apprenticeships gives an advantage to acquiring the skills needed for the jobs that are open.
The most recent Graduate Apprentices at Capgemini will continue their studies through The Open University online to get their BSc Hons Cyber Security. The program is fully funded by Skills Development Scotland and supported by the European Social Fund.
Scottish Apprenticeship Week is coordinated by Skills Development Scotland every year. The theme of this year was Talen Without Limits. This was in an effort to celebrate how work-based learning can be good for individuals, employers, and the economy can be diversified.
Skills Development Scotland says that Capgemini is the perfect example of how using apprenticeships in business helps increase the talent pool. They wish other firms would follow in their footsteps.
Through The Open University, Capgemini has been able to continue the progression of its cybersecurity teams through the apprenticeship provisions. This allows companies like Capgemini to have an upper hand in the workforce and attract and retain talent.
Capgemini is working toward closing the gap in cyber-skills shortages with its 4-year program.
