Digital Skills Apprenticeships
Industry Specialist Trainers

0333 4444 227
hello@commun-it.org.uk

Author: Amin Rahman

Proper online advertising has caused business earnings to skyrocket

The eCommerce industry refers to transactions that happen online. People are able to buy an increasing number of things on the internet and more recently, even your local corner store may have listed milk, biscuits and other items on Uber Eats and delivery services because their doors were closed.

Business who were already established online had all the necessary plumbing in place to push their digital strategy to new heights. There is a vast array of knowledge, skills and techniques that can drive up customer awareness and sales even overnight – it all depends on your resources: they key resource being the expertise that can deliver such results.

When an organisation has creatively talented people, they sometimes struggled with the digital and marketing infrastructure needed to make the best use of the creative work that is done. The videos, the graphics, the written articles and flyers, do not reach who they are meant to and if they do, they do not garner enough attention or pursuade the customer to make a purchase.

When an organisation has digital marketing people, they often lack the talented creatives that can produce the most competitive designs to differentiate the business from other things that consumers are bombarded with.

When an organisation hires both types of talent, they face all variety of collaboration issues and it leads to bottlenecks. These two skillsets do not always know how to speak each others language in the most efficient way. It’s really up to management to hire the right people but they are not always around.

This set of problems exists in all organisations businesses and charities, big and small, online businesses or physical stores. To address this wholeheartedly and thoroughly, Commun-IT has devised a flagship course: Junior Content Marketer. It is a hybrid skillset for the modern day and especially imperative business needs. Take a look at the benefits that just one member of staff, can deliver single handedly as a result of undertaking this training with Commun-IT. This amount of output would normally cost circa £40,000 and you could achieve it for approx. £4,000 over 12 months with a new recruit.

Alternatively, you can upskill any member of staff who is on payroll, including senior staff and business owners. Did you know that Commun-IT can assist your hiring process free of charge of you select us as your training provider? Take a look at our employer journey here or book a call to get moving fast whilst you can earn up to £3,000 per employee that you join to one of our programmes. This expires in just a few weeks.

 

 

How has corona virus (covid-19) affected workplace training?

Workplace training can continue whilst respecting all covid-19 safety measures. The majority of programmes have moved online into a distance learning model. Many types of software have shot up in popularity and it has also caused newcomers into this space to service the demand. Undoubtedly everyone is concerned as to whether this really substitutes the in-person teaching and training that people are used to.

Commun-IT has launched a bespoke LMS set up to accommodate an excellent learning experience for all our apprentices. It maintains a strong sense of awareness by both learner and trainer on matters of progress, hurdles and training plans. We continue to improve our systems so that we can deliver our specialist range of creative and digital courses. They are industry focused and crafted specifically to employer needs – learners get the experience that they need for their aims and their job role.

In some cases, End Point Assessment organisations (EPAOs) have allowed people to sit assessments without returning to work during the pandemic. In other cases, people cannot complete their qualification without creating evidence for all the workplace components of their training. However, EPAOs are adapting their policies, therefore there will be a resolution in all cases.

If you are furloughed, there is no better time to upskill as you can focus on training that you can take back to work to create immediate impact. If you skill up in digital marketing for instance, you would know how to generate more customers and earnings for your workplace through things like Search Engine Advertising or Social Media Campaigns.

If you are interested in better job security and future-proofing your skills for the job market, express your interest here so that one of our advisors can guide you.

Age is nothing but a number in vocational training

Many people still do not know where Continuing Professional Development (CPD) fits into their goals. As many job roles are being challenged by digital technology, it is important to retrain in the new ways of doing things. When someone is asked to learn a new software or process at work, this is CPD. The formal way to do it is to plan it in advance, and keep it on record. Anyone with a job should maintain their own CPD record – but only some jobs make it a requirement e.g. teaching.

From the pandemic, an endless number of organisations have had to make covid-19 safety training a requirement to allow people to continue working – that is CPD too. CPD is training required for your job role to continue but more often than not, it is subject matter expertise that makes the biggest difference.

For example, when the EU launched GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), to protect people’s internet activity from being tracked without their awareness (amongst many other things), countless professionals were obliged to train up in knowledge of the changes, and skills required to uphold the laws in question.

With these things in consideration, at what age does someone stop learning? People cannot afford to stop learning because change continues to happen.

Even farming practices established for thousands of years must adapt to weather changes and environmental factors – and unfortunately some environmental factors caused by humans.

Apprenticeship training is vocational training at its best. It leads to formal qualifications with serious progression prospects. It is still funded and has an extremely low barrier to entry. You need Maths and English at Level 2 (GCSE Grade C / 4) and even if you don’t have it, the Government will also pay for you to obtain it during your apprenticeship. Age is no barrier. People of all ages are using apprenticeships for their CPD, career progression, change of job, or to pursue new jobs and opportunities that they would otherwise not be able to do.

If you want to enter a new industry, take an apprenticeship route. Commun-IT offers best in class specialist training for creative and digital skills. You can express your interest here: Select the right apprenticeship for you.

Digital Skills for the Future

Since covid-19, there has been a 36% rise in creative and digital skills jobs

The real benefits of digital technology adoption have been seen during the pandemic from 2020 to 2021. Our communication, for work, study or pleasure was forcibly changed to a digital counterpart. Countless more people have adopted video calling, and enjoyed (probably not) the nuances of dealing with each different system: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meets and more. Schools and companies also used their own platforms as part of their digital strategy because everyone knows, if it’s happened once, it can happen again.

Banking apps were no longer optional but a necessity. Services such as Uber Eats were now seeing even local corner stores listing their milk and biscuits when their shop doors had to be closed.

None of us will want to lose the conveniences that have emerged, but we know that this type of life is not normal and definitely not preferred in the long term. Balance is key.

On the point of balance, it is important to understand that using digital technology in the right way is an employable skill. Many young people are growing up as ‘digital natives’, exposed from an early age, therefore not relying those before them had to adapt and learn to use everything from email to social media. The UK Government has undertaken studies and found that many jobs will disappear in the future, and new jobs will appear – this is largely driven by the role technology plays in our lives and in our economies.

Apart from the simple risk of not being able to find work due to lacking the skills of the future, there is also a logical push towards better productivity. Just like emails essentially put a jetpack on postal mail, there are endless ripple effects in what becomes possible, as technology evolves. Instant chat started out on desktop computers through a slow dial-up internet connection, and has gone global through a  pocket computers – smartphones – and wireless data networks. The smartpone in a child’s pocket today is more powerful than a computer the size of a room, when human endeavours started out. Have you wondered how 1, 111, 112 (one million plus) photos can be stored on a memory card (micro SD) smaller than your fingertip? The industries that led that to happen, underpinned by education, skills and jobs?

Be a part of the future economy and future proof your skills but training or upskilling with an Apprenticeship. Digital technology will permeate into all jobs and it comes with it’s own bag of tricks. It takes knowledge and skill to be safe online, to remain in good health and to make it positive as opposed to a negative thing in your life. Consider, that a university degree costs £9,000 per year for 3 years and a job is not guaranteed whereas with an apprenticeship, a job comes as part of the package and your £12-£15,000 training costs are covered by The Government*. This might not be the case forever.

This opportunity is open to anyone with eligible paid employment and if you are not able to find a suitable job role for the qualification you are pursuing, Commun-IT can assist and match you with vacancies provided to us by employers.

If you are considering an apprenticeship, express your interest here and receive guidance from one of our advisors.

 

*Employers sometimes make a 5% contribution.

How to save jobs and afford staff after furlough ends

The furlough scheme by The UK Government is known as a Job Retention scheme. Take a look at how to make the most of your furloughed workforce and earn up to £3,000 per staff member through training them.

Whilst the government has sustained job roles financially as best as they could, to support livelihoods, there is no doubt that businesses, organisations and their market landscapes have entirely changed due to covid-19.

The Government has recognised both the high number of job losses despite the furlough scheme since 2020, alongside the incredibly high number of jobs at risk when furlough ends. Commun-IT recommends one very simple approach to organisations in desperate need of reducing costs. We hope that organisations can avoid losing talent, knowledge and loyal staff but implementing this approach.

We have dedicated articles for individuals on how to save their job or what to do if they have lost their job.

As an organisation, you should:

  1. Firstly determine whether your salary costs must be reduced, or in actual fact, you need more productive staff to hit targets quicker.
  2. Negotiate with staff in a way that you can make them an offer instead of losing them, especially if they want to stay with you.
    1. Offer the staff member new training if it assists negotiation.
      1. Training is Government-funded, worth £12-£15,000, therefore the staff member might cope with a temporary reduction in salary in lieu of a qualification.
    2. Offer the staff member a chance to change team/department/job function.
      1. There is a vast array of creative and digital skills that have led to a 36% rise in jobs in this sector. If your business can leverage these skills, it could be a game-changer: Most customers, more revenue, better processes and more. Book a call with one of our consultants to find out more.
  3. Enable the staff member to work reduced hours
    1. You can also have a part-time apprentice if they can work in another role, such that overall, their work hours meet apprenticeship eligiblity criteria. Therefore, a current staff member can still undertake training but sustain their income by having a role elsewhere also. We can assist with facilitating this so do arrange a call with us if this avenue is your only option.

Read more about strategic moves you can make in our article Recruitment Practices for a Post-Covid19 Economy.

 

 

Make the most of furlough and your staff returning to work

Make the most of furlough

Businesses have a rare and unique opportunity right now to strengthen their team through new or improved digital skills.

Normally, CPD and staff training takes away from the work-week. If your staff are on furlough, it is the best time to undertake training.

Training can help in many ways as more skills help to:

  • market your business and make more money
  • improve the business and its processes
  • increase productivity in the job role
  • adapt the business, especially digitally and online, to the post-covid economy

Best of all, training is government funded and results in an approved national qualification. Furthermore, if you start training within a limited time, you as the employer can receive up to £3,000 cash incentive per employee that you train.

Think about how these skills being put to use immediately in your business can lead to massive gains:

  • Content creation skills such as audio, video, graphic design
  • IT skills to build and maintain websites, apps and organisation systems

Speak to an expert by booking a quick call to understand your options. Training is available for all levels of seniority, executives and directors included.

Looking for a new job after losing my job

Are you facing a job loss?

Have you regretfully lost your job even though you know the business needs your talent and skills?

What do you want to do? If you are happy to train using 20% of your work hours, read on…

Do the following things apply to you?

  • I can work for less in my first year whilst I get trained
  • I would like a proper qualification in a digital skills subject
  • I want to train in either: creative content or IT skills

If all the above are true for your circumstances, you are in a perfect position to do one of the following:

  • ask a previous employer to hire you as an apprentice in a creative/digital role
  • start new role with a new employer – jobs in the sector have risen massively during covid-19
  • leave your details with us to match you to a job vacancy that is given to us by an employer

Fill in this form to tell us how we can help you.

Did you know that there are better options for your employer than to let you go? They can earn up to £3,000 for any staff member they put on training programme with us at Commun-IT.

Look at our qualifications and select the right one for you, then make your mind up to deliver the ‘key business benefits’ from that course in your workplace. See the section under the ‘key business benefits’ for Creative Content Producers or for IT Technicians – the two most in-demands skillsets by jobs since covid-19 began.

Tell your current and form colleagues because typically everyone can benefit from this career change if their job is at risk.

If you are already in a job and need assistance explaining this training opportunity, you can email outreach@commun-it.org.uk for help! It is easy for you and your employer so do not hesitate, get in touch.

How to save my job after furlough

Save your job

If the following things apply to you, you are in a perfect position to save your current job:

  • I prefer a salary cut than losing my job completely
  • I am happy to train and improve my digital skills
  • I want to train in either: creative content or IT skills

If all the above are true for your circumstances, you are in a perfect position to do one of the following:

  • adapt your work in your current role to be digitally focused
  • start new role with your current employer
  • work in a new company

Fill in this form to tell us how we can help you.

Did you know that there are better options for your employer than to let you go?

You or any of your colleagues and team members do not need to be sacked leading to job cuts and job losses in the economy, just because your organisation or business needs to save money. Your HR department or senior staff may not need to make difficult firing decisions. You can negotiate a new contract with them, and on top of that, they can receive a cash bonus for putting you on a training programme that results in a lifelong qualification.

Do not leave your job without presenting these facts to your employer:

  • Staff on furlough or in work, can undertake a government funded apprenticeship qualification (at any age) if they want creative, digital and/or IT skills.
  • The employer in turn can consider the apprentice wage as well as the limited-time cash bonus to have a substantially reduced salary bill.
  • Many employees would prefer new skills, training and to keep their job albeit earning a little less – but obtaining a £12,000(+) digital skills qualification is an excellent compensation in this increasingly digital economy.
  • It is also the best form of continual professional development (CPD) for staff as it is an accredited qualification.
  • It is the best way to re-assign staff to other departments and give staff a chance to do more in the business. Admin staff who know the business inside out could get involved in social media for instance.

Email them this link on How to save jobs and afford staff after furlough ends.

Look at our qualifications and select the right one for you, then make your mind up to deliver the ‘key business benefits’ from that course in your workplace. See the section under the ‘key business benefits’ for Creative Content Producers or for IT Technicians – the two most in-demands skillsets by jobs since covid-19 began.

Tell your colleagues because typically everyone can benefit from this career change if their job is at risk.

If you are already in a job and need assistance explaining this opportunity, you can email outreach@commun-it.org.uk for help!

It is easy for you and your employer so do not hesitate, get in touch.

Recruitment Practices for a Post-Covid19 Economy

Recruitment Practices for a Post-Covid19 Economy

Many are wondering whether they will keep their job after furlough. Many have already lost their job. Many were almost in a job but it did not pan out because of Covid19 restrictions and the impact on businesses and organisations.

Overall, there are a lot of people looking for a job, and a lot of businesses who have completely halted recruitment. Some organisations have scaled back their recruitment drive and reduced the number of positions available.

There are a select number of industries and organisations coping or thriving in a restricted economy. These organisations are recruiting and even growing.

The fundamental needs of businesses has not changed in regards to recruitment. Staff need to be effective at their job role, and the return on investment they bring (what they deliver in light of what they are paid) massively determines whether that job role is needed in the business, whether it has room to grow as a role and whether the business can grow as a whole.

In terms of reducing payroll costs, there are a few options outlined in our article on How to save jobs and afford staff after furlough ends.

However, businesses and organisations should consider a constructive approach over a reductive one. This may involve an evaluation of products, services and offerings in light of how the economy has changed and might continue to change.

It is certain that an increasingly digital economy yields two new core needs for all organisations:

  1. Presence
  2. Exposure

Presence

Having a digital presence, once was just to be listed in an online directory. Thereafter it evolved to having your own website. Now, it is about maintaining communication.

It is not just phone calls anymore, but instant chat, emails, social media messages. Multiple channels might be used by your audience and you cannot be the one to take away the option that they prefer most.

The good news is that digital communication does not require someone to be constantly looking, like one’s ear is required on a phone call. There are smart ways to give customers answers automatically, direct them the right way, or even politely tell them that you’ll get back in touch.

Delivering good customer service, and being seen as an organisation who is ‘present’ online requires good IT skills and an IT Strategy that is in line with your needs and values. Businesses who have done this effectively have experienced massive growth. ECommerce businesses have hailed Twitter as an excellent way receive, delegate and handle customer queries for example, and it does not cost a penny (unless you choose to further optimise using additional software tools).

The fastest and cheapest way to bring this into a business is to hire an IT Apprentice. Read more about the qualification.

Exposure

If everyone is doing the same thing, and appearing online, that means the whole competition has been taken online.

What can organisations do to save their talent and their workforces? Many businesses have experienced the oft-counterproductive move of reducing staff numbers, and over-burdening the remaining team. How can you afford more hands back on set? The answer is apprenticeship training. Read about the reduced wage bill, and limited time £3,000 cash incentive per employee trained.

Government cash incentives for employees for training their employees

Employers who hire a new apprentice between 1 August 2020 and 31 March 2021 can claim financial incentives from the government.

This is to help businesses and the economy recover from the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

You receive £2,000 for apprentices aged 16-24

You receive £1,500 for apprentices aged 25 and over

You also receive a further £1,000 for an apprentice aged 16-18.

This means that an apprentice who starts training before age 19 totals a £3,000 cash incentive.

Read in more depth about this in our article: Unprecedented £3,000 limited time cash incentive for apprenticeship training

You can also read the government page for more information:

Incentive payments for hiring a new apprentice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Unprecedented £3,000 limited time cash incentive for apprenticeship training

The Government have stepped up, but it expires soon!

£3,000 for every apprentice trained. An apprentice can be a current member of staff, or a new hire.

The incentive does not have to be paid back and can be spent as needed, such as towards the salary of the apprentice in question. If you observe that an apprentice’s National Minimum Wage, due to being unqualified, is £4.30 (as of April 2021), the average hourly rate becomes less than £3.00 if the cash incentive is taken into account.

The purpose behind the apprenticeship is that:

  • the skills learned are relevant to the job role
  • evidence can be produced of skills being applied

This makes apprenticeship training the best form of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as it comes with a qualification and guarantees the use of all new knowledge and skills.

The Government is driving more effective work skills and stimulating job opportunity, and Commun-IT is a digital skills specialist Approved Training Provider. Employers must formally have their apprentices start training with a Commun-IT programme before the end of March 2021. You can browse our courses; We highly recommend IT skills or Digital Marketing and Content Production skills for businesses to bounce back from Covid-19 in a strategic and long-term fashion.

You can read also about our bespoke course in Content Marketing which can drive business outcomes from the first month!

How can you say no to a new member of staff for 32 hours a week for a full year, at a cost of circa £4,000? Especially when Commun-IT can take care of recruitment for you!

Book a call with one our specialist advisors to get started as quickly as possible.

Large companies have been able to recruit and train at scale, thereby being awards hundreds of thousands of pounds in incentive payments. We highly encourage SMEs to benefit from this scheme before it expires. Further details and sources are referenced in our article: Government cash incentives for employees for training their employees

The charity work you can support in your local schools

How do you give money to a charity for free?

Education Technology Community (ETC) Charity is funded to undertake a charitable project in a school, each time an employer of any size places a member of staff on an Apprenticeship Training Programme with Commun-IT. This helps towards Commun-IT’s mission to support education at all levels, whilst operationally we deliver post-16 training ourselves.

We cannot help but be amazed at the impact ETC has had in schools and on children, teachers and parents.

Continue reading

Charity & Social Enterprises Supported
ETC Charity
IDEAS Bus
CCC
ATRD

© Fresh Commun-IT Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 09378225