Minister's visit to Port Solent training provider Intequal highlights apprenticeships’ key role to UK’s Covid-19 recovery

Dominic Gill, managing director of Intequal, gave a tour to the minister for apprenticeships and skills, Gillian Keegan.

Ms Keegan, who is also MP for Chichester, was keen to see how Intequal has changed its apprenticeship and training programmes to help the UK’s economic recovery from coronavirus.

Ms Keegan’s visit provided an opportunity for several employers Intequal works with to highlight the importance of training and development as they look to reinvigorate their business following lockdown.

It was the latest in a series of visits to training providers as the minister has been seeing how they have adapted to support learners.

Mr Gill highlighted how training can not only help to support career entry for local talent and those looking to switch careers but also boost the future growth of the businesses by providing innovation in the workplace.

Mr Gill said: ‘We were delighted to welcome Gillian Keegan MP to Intequal. It enabled us to showcase our work and show how supporting learners with work-ready skills will be important to our national recovery.

‘As the economy gets back on its feet, industry recognised training that is valued by employers and supports them with the skills development of their businesses will be vital.

‘Employers will focus on equipping their existing staff and new hires with the skills and competencies that they require to emerge and thrive in a competitive marketplace. They should do this by targeting their training and ensuring career pathway planning with a clear approach to the business outcomes they need to unlock.

‘When managed correctly, apprenticeships are a talent acquisition solution that brings immediate dividends to a business, especially when it comes to IT and digital roles.’

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The session included contributions from Warwickshire-based infrastructure firm Telent, Surrey-based IT support company projectfive, and Reading-based tech giant Microsoft UK.

Rebecca King, apprentice lead at Microsoft UK said: ‘It’s clear that skills, training and apprenticeships are going to be central to a broad and inclusive recovery programme and new job creation. We believe in their value as qualifications which is why, with the support of Intequal, Microsoft has supported more than 20,000 apprenticeships in the UK over the past 10 years.’

Intequal provides training through an interactive, online tutor-led model, with 97 per cent of those who study with the provider completing their programme.

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