Graduates from telecoms company Mitel's Apprenticeship Programme are preparing to start working for the company in earnest now their initial training is over.
Apprentices with no previous engineering experience are taken under the wing of Mitel staff to address a skills deficit within the industry.
New graduate Nathan Olley said: "I am delighted to have graduated and have thoroughly enjoyed the apprenticeship which has presented me with fantastic opportunities such as travelling overseas with work, and I'm really looking forward to my career with Mitel."
The Apprenticeship Programme was launched in 2007 as an alternative to traditional routes into the telecoms sector.
Grahame Bevington, managing director EMEA, Mitel, said: "With the shortage of skilled engineers in the marketplace, it was difficult for us to recruit the right people, and Mitel skills were seen as a premium.
"We decided that the best 'breeding ground' for Mitel skills was Mitel. From our experience we have found that IT graduates do not possess the business and technical skills you would hope for from a graduate. By recruiting apprentices at such a young age we can cultivate the skills that we require and help the individuals grow into talented qualified engineers."
