TMT First is proud to announce we have been shortlisted at this years Connected Britain Awards in the category, ‘Digital Skills Award’.
The awards take place annually as part of the Connected Britain two-day event, held in London at the ExCel. Featuring speakers, exhibitors, business start-ups and more, it is the UK’s largest connectivity event, with over 8,000 attendees!
Sponsors and attendees include Vodafone, O2, Gamma, Google, Ericsson and National Grid Telecoms, with over 300 exhibitors and 350 speakers over the two-day event.
TMT First has entered the Digital Skills Award, for the work we have done in developing the Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship, which we launched in June 2024.
The background to the apprenticeship was in 2023 TMT First Founder Adam Whitehouse began the process of creating an apprenticeship that covered the whole tech industry, as no formal qualification or training existed. It seemed incredible, that with over 70 million mobile phones in the UK (without counting tablets and laptops) there was no training programme to repair these devices? In addition, it is estimated the digital skills shortage costs the UK economy £63 billion per annum (source: UK Government).
In March 2023 TMT First began a PR offensive to gather support for the new apprenticeship including press releases, radio and TV interviews and social media campaigns all culminating in a BBC News Technology report filmed at TMT First by Zoe Kleinman.
At the same time the TMT First team were engaging with RiiTech (the industry-recognised registration for IT and digital professionals), EPAO (end point assessment organisation for apprenticeships) and IfATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education). Nikki Christie, Deputy Director of IfATE got behind the apprenticeship, adding further momentum to the project.
Throughout 2023, Adam and the TMT First team pulled together companies to get behind the new apprenticeship (including Samsung), assisted in creating the curriculum, provided insight and technical support and ultimately the energy and drive to deliver the new apprenticeship.
In January 2024 the new Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship was announced, with Nikki Christie commenting, “The digital device repair technician shows what businesses can achieve when there is a skills gap in their sector. IfATE is delighted to celebrate the progress of this apprenticeship. In line with Government targets to achieve net zero by 2050, IfATE is tracking how apprenticeships are becoming more sustainable; championing those leading the way, and we are pleased to confirm the green credentials on this one are very high – the core nature of this apprenticeship will make a big difference to our society. We invite even more businesses to follow the example set by TMT First and work with IfATE to develop, revise, and update apprenticeships.”
On June 24th 2024 the first 10 apprentices started the journey towards their new qualification at TMT First, with a further 15 joining later in the calendar year.