Atos extends Moray apprenticeship scheme

Programme to cover security governance, risk and compliance departments

In addition to the 35 apprentices that digital services company Atos employs at its centre of excellence in Moray, the company is now extending its apprenticeship programme to a new area of focus – in its security governance, risk and compliance departments.

The Moray Development and Innovation Centre based in Forres was established in 2013, after the UK Government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review and the announcement of the withdrawal of the RAF from Kinloss, it became apparent that there would be a significant economic impact for Moray.

Atos invests a considerable amount in skills and training and already runs successful apprenticeship programmes in Moray, as well as at locations across the UK. However, this new programme will see apprentices support on a broad range of security and governance related controls. Since 2011, the company has trained more than 70 apprentices in Scotland and this year will be recruiting around 10 apprentices in this area with the vision to recruit and train 20 apprentices by the end of 2018.

Gavin Thomson, senior vice president of Atos, said: “In 2013, Atos made a significant investment to the region and committed to creating 50 new high-value IT jobs in Moray, previously not available in the area. We now have 160 employees in Forres, almost trebling Atos’ original jobs commitment into the area, with 90% of the workforce from the local area.

“Our apprenticeship programme is hugely important to the company in training the future talent of Atos and we currently have 35 apprentices in Moray going through the cyber security programme. The fact that we are expanding the programme into other areas is fantastic news and will offer so many opportunities to the people of Moray. We are proud to be one of the very few employers who guarantee apprentices a permanent job with the company at the end of the programme.”

The company recently launched its ‘Digital Vision for Government’ opinion paper (bit.ly/2mnZlg2) which seeks to highlight the immense opportunities associated with a strategic programme of digital transformation, and which this apprenticeship programme will play a role in helping to deliver. Jane Buggy, senior vice-president, human resources at Atos said: “We are passionate about developing the future digital talent of Atos so it is fantastic that our apprenticeship programme has expanded in Moray to include areas of growing importance.

“We work with our apprentices to guide them through the programme, turning them in to real business technologists. Whether still studying at school or college, or if they have just left, we nurture the talent of all our apprentices and develop their potential. “The apprenticeship programme in Moray will see the apprentices work alongside our Client Security Managers, contributing to and gaining experience in a range of information security, governance, risk and compliance activities. They will learn to build relationships with key stakeholders, making this an ideal environment to learn both technical and communication skills.

“Our apprenticeship programme is in line with the Government’s recently launched digital strategy which will set out to ensure everyone has the skills they need to flourish in a digitally-driven economy.”

For more information and to apply visit: uk.atos.net/apprentices