Newark and Bingham MP Robert Jenrick cut the ribbon on the Newark College KNOWHOW IT Suite today.
This local training facility is a unique collaboration between the College, which is part of Lincoln College Group and KNOWHOW (Services Division of DixonsCarphone), providing young people with paid work experience for Europe’s leading specialist electrical and telecommunications retailer and services company.
The first intake of 21 students have already been employed by the Company, on a part time basis, to carry out IT hardware repairs, while they study for their Level Two and Three IT Software qualifications.
Once they graduate they will either leave fully qualified with a line on their CV that proves they are a top candidate for employment, be offered a permanent position, or a place on the two year IT apprenticeships with KNOWHOW – securing a bright future in the IT industry and enabling them to build their lives in the Newark area.
Mr Jenrick was joined by the KNOWHOW senior managers, the College Executive Team and local dignitaries to open the suite.
Lincoln College Group CEO Gary Headland said: “Our mission is to be led by the needs of local employers and this includes designing innovative ways of producing a highly skilled local workforce for them.
“This new level of collaboration with business ensures we provide secure and lucrative career paths for young people in the town.
“We will be growing our intake for this course year-on-year, securing careers for hundreds of local young people with a major local and national employer.
“This is a model we are looking to replicate with other local employers across the Region.
“We would urge young people and parents to visit Newark College to find out how they can sign up for next year’s intake.”
KNOWHOW, which has expanded its operations in Newark, currently employs approximately 4,000 people, believes this collaboration will enable the firm to develop and employ local young talent for many years to come.
KNOWHOW General Manager Damian Rodgers said: “We are dependent on local talent to support our growing, FTSE 100 Company.
“When we took on the Mobile phone repairs from Dixons/Carphone in 2015, it was clear we needed to start to build a talent pool in the local area.
“We already had a great relationship with Newark College and we are delighted to be working together to provide these combined college and work place courses for students.”
Newark MP Robert Jenrick said: “I’m delighted that a new, innovative partnership has been established between Newark College and one of our biggest local employers, KNOWHOW.
“Local talent is needed to support our local economy and this is a huge step forward in developing the essential links between our schools, colleges and employers.
“It was a real honour to meet the first intake of students and I look forward to tracking their progress as they build their careers locally.”
Find out more about these courses at: http://www.lincolncollege.ac.uk/
Or call: 030 030 32435
