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James Qualtrough (Jamesq) is the Founder and Editor of Isle News and is based on the Isle of Man. Isle News is a news site for the UK offshore jurisdictions of the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey.

MANX TELECOM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME EARNS DTI PRAISE

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Related category: Isle of Man, Science & Technology
(Isle News) Author: Jamesq on Friday, March 13, 2009

Isle News, 12 March 2009 – Manx Telecom has received a ringing endorsement from the Isle of Man’s Trade and Industry Minister for promoting home grown talent in its quest to safeguard the company’s future skills requirements.

Mindful of the relentless pace of technological development in the telecoms industry, the phone operator has just announced it is offering high level Technical Engineering Apprenticeships to two Manxmen, Luke Rowe and Gareth Whorrall.

The pair will be involved in engineering projects within Manx Telecom’s core network team that look after the bulk of services available to the company’s domestic and corporate customer base. This includes all fixed line, broadband and mobile operations as well as the high performance MPLS circuits which handle Manx Telecom’s off-island connectivity.

It will take Luke and Gareth up to three years to become fully qualified Technical Engineers and part of their training will involve attending specialist Cisco and Microsoft training courses in the UK and at the Isle of Man College.

The apprenticeship programme has been warmly welcomed by Trade and Industry Minister David Cretney. “Manx Telecom’s technical engineering apprenticeship scheme not only represents an excellent career development opportunity for its participants, but also reinforces the Isle of Man’s commitment to diversifying the economy in to areas like e-business,” said Mr Cretney.

“I am encouraged that the company have clearly recognised the potential for home grown talent to fulfil their future skill requirements, which will help to service the growth we are experiencing in e-sectors such as e-gaming,” he added.

Luke (19) has been promoted from Manx Telecom’s 24 hour IT helpline where he has been based for the past 18 months, whilst 28-year-old Gareth has been working in the retail sector and studying for a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) accreditation at the Isle of Man College.

Manx Telecom’s IP Core Services Manager, Eddie Cleator, who will be overseeing the apprenticeships, said it was important for the company to provide intensive, high-level training at the current time. “The apprenticeships we are giving to Luke and Gareth are technically demanding but essential in an age of such rapid technological development where it is essential that our engineering staff meet the most exacting standards. They will play a very important role within our core network team.

“As a major employer on the island, Manx Telecom is proud of its record in staff training and development which is why we are delighted to announce the creation of these latest apprenticeships.”

The announcement coincided with the UK’s National Apprentice Week where Manx Telecom’s parent company, Telefónica 02, featured prominently. In recognition of the Company’s long-standing commitment to training, CEO Ronan Dunne was invited to the House of Commons to address a group of past and present 02 apprentices alongside Ed Balls Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Ends

Photocaption (from left to right):

Manx Telecom’s Gareth Whorrall, Eddie Cleator (IP Core Services Manager) & Luke Rowe

About Manx Telecom

o    Manx Telecom is the Isle of Man’s largest telecommunications and Internet provider, offering the full range of fixed line, mobile and data services to consumers and businesses.
o    The company is part of Telefónica O2 Europe – the second largest telecommunications company in the world. Manx Telecom has invested more than £50 million over the last five years in the development of a world-class telecommunications network, and is committed to a further £30 million investment in the next three years.
o    Manx Telecom was one of the first operators in the world to offer broadband ADSL services to customers, having become the first in Europe to launch a live 3G network in December 2001. In November 2005, it became the world’s first company to offer a HSDPA (3.5G) service.
o    Manx Telecom is proud to be an Isle of Man Brand Champion.
o    www.manx-telecom.com

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