Keeping our computing students in the Knowhow

After officially opening the new training facility two years ago, the Right Honorable Robert Jenrick MP, made presentations to our graduating students, who are part of an innovative new approach to getting young people ready for work.

All of the Team Knowhow students worked part-time for the company while they were completing their IT software qualifications. More than 50 per cent are now employed full-time by Team Knowhow as apprentices and the Company has just welcomed its new intake of students.

Mr Jenrick said: “The College has displayed an extraordinary level of responsiveness to the needs of a major local employer and this programme is now creating secure careers for young people in our community.

“It was great to see the new recruits chatting to those who have been through the course and are now employed by the company, inspiring them to work hard and reap the benefits. I wish them all the best in their studies and their future careers.”

The programme led to the development of wider training provision for Team Knowhow, which now has around 70 Newark College apprentices.

The Team Knowhow course is part of raft of employer-led programmes, launched by Lincoln College Group, which includes Newark College.

These programmes are co-designed with major employers and include much more than just a qualification. Students spend a significant amount of time in industry with experts. They also take part in activities designed to improve their productivity; focusing on problem-solving, communication, leadership and culture.

Lincoln College Group Managing Director for Education and Training, Mark Locking, said: “We are immensely proud of our students, who are now thriving in the workplace and it was great to have the Secretary of State, our Local MP, who originally opened the programme, here to see the social and economic impact it is now having in the community.

“We are determined to continue our employer-led mission at Newark College, reshaping and repurposing our curriculum in this way to make sure students are really well prepared for work, enabling them to build secure and lucrative careers locally.”

Team Knowhow Director for Supply Chain & Services Operations Steve Gibb said: “We were struggling to recruit young people from the Newark area before we started working with the College.

“Now we have a pipeline of local young talent that spend time with us and build their skills, confidence and productivity while they learn, so when they start working for us full-time they are able to really excel. 

“Well done to everyone who graduated today and we look forward to working with the new students through the year.”

Find out more about the programme here.