The first apprentices have now embarked on a game-changing learning and career path that will teach them how to repair digital devices like mobile phones.
Ten people started on the first-of-its-kind apprenticeship at TMT First in July and the second group of 10 began in August.
Over an 18-to-21-month period they, and others who follow, will learn their trade on the Level 3 National Digital Device Repair Technician Apprenticeship.
NSCG has signed up as the delivery partner and all training will take place at TMT First’s factory in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The push for the groundbreaking national qualification has been spearheaded by TMT First founder Adam Whitehouse. It is part of his call on the government to end a throw-away culture that has developed around the sector – particularly in light of the fact there are now around 80 million mobiles and digital devices in the UK.
Now the entrepreneur is calling on other tech repair organisations across Staffordshire and beyond to follow TMT First’s lead and take advantage of the apprenticeship.
Adam said: “It was around February time this year when we got the all clear from the Institute for Apprenticeships Tech Education (IfATE) for this ‘dark green’ apprenticeship. We now have Newcastle College on board as our training provider and an assessment partner in place, so it’s all systems go.
“The good news is that we had 10 apprentices start in July and another 10 started in August. It is great to see so many on board straight away.
“We are getting good traction already. Our original conversation was to aim for up to 40 apprentices, UK-wide, joining this course. But if everything goes to plan, we will hit that number just by ourselves.
“What needs to happen next is for others to get involved. My call is for other organisations who repair technology to take advantage of this apprenticeship – not just in Staffordshire but across the country.
“There is such a demand to repair technology. There are 80 million devices out there that need repair and support and that number is growing.”
The apprenticeship fits into TMT First’s strategy to gear up for further growth as it looks to more than double the number of repairs it carries out.
Adam added: “Currently, at our busiest, we repair 8,500 devices a month. Our ambition is to grow to 20,000 a month and to do that we need to establish ourselves as a go-to repair partner for manufacturers. This includes Apple and Microsoft who, alongside, Samsung we are now approved partners for.”
That growth can be accommodated at the company’s current base, where 160 people are employed.
Adam said: “We have 43,000 square feet of space and are using about 60 per cent of it. We took this on 10 years ago now as we knew we wanted to grow to 20,000 devices and this space has capacity to support it.”
He says he will continue to push for an end to the throw-away device culture with the new Government, adding: “It is early days with the new Government. But over the next few weeks I will be involved in meetings with MPs from the area.
“We have also just become Patrons of Staffordshire Chambers and that will create more opportunities to speak to the right people in government and beyond.
“That includes organisations like the NHS that have some catching up to do. If we can help them understand how repairing is a good alternative to buying new every time something breaks, then that is a step in the right direction.”
Fantastic opportunity at TMT. Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been pleased to share some of its apprenticeship levy with TMT to get these unique apprenticeships off the ground. Very pleasing to have a new, nationally available apprenticeship that was driven right here in North Staffs by TMT.