PETA and circle.cloud offer IT apprenticeship opportunities

Article summary: Southampton-based cloud communications solution provider circle.cloud has been utilising PETA’s apprenticeship service since January 2020 and the partnership is working well.

Over that period PETA has recruited six apprentices for circle.cloud with another two due to commence in September. Two of their apprentices have already completed their training, both of them passing with Distinctions, which is a fantastic achievement.

The circle.cloud apprenticeship positions have been in a number of different areas, including Network Field Engineer, IT Support Technician, Business Administrator and Network Engineer.

Chloe Berry, circle.cloud’s HR and Recruitment Manager, said: “PETA has been great from the moment we started working with them. They’ve always been super helpful in regards to recruitment and our apprentices have loved working with their PETA tutors who have helped them achieve the best possible results.”

circle.cloud are now looking to recruit another Apprentice Network Engineer to the team, with the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. There are also other opportunities on the horizon as the company has plans to take on further apprentices in the future, largely due to the success of the programmes to date.

What support does circle.cloud offer their apprentices?

• A full induction to the company and the role to ensure the apprentice feels welcome, comfortable in their environment and well-informed about what they’ll be doing on a day-to-day basis. The apprentice’s team leader will outline the details of the role and guide them through the training process from day 1 to programme completion. Questions are welcomed throughout.

• The apprentice will be paired with a workplace mentor to guide them through their apprenticeship. This mentor will be someone who is experienced in the role and who has time to assist them with anything they need help with throughout the programme. This person will be their port of call with any questions and happy to listen at any time.

• The mentor will hold regular 1-2-1s with the apprentice to offer guidance and support. This could be with any elements of the on-the-job training or questions about their studies or work-related assignments, as well as any personal issues.

• The apprenticeship will be a continual hands-on training programme, but additional training sessions will be offered to the apprentice where needed or requested.

• Apprentices are given time off in the week to attend classroom-based training at PETA, as well as additional time off to complete assignments and general studies.
  
  

Why is circle.cloud a great place to work?

Great values
circle.cloud is a company you can be proud to work for. Their core values are Tenacity, Technology and Simplicity and these are applied in all they do. 

Staff wellbeing
Staff wellbeing is essential; they offer a wellbeing app that offers a 24-hour helpline as well as regular mental health, physical and wellbeing sessions to ensure staff can access all the support they need, at any time.

Innovative technology
Their cloud-based telephone system and full custom communications platform offers their customers the latest solutions and it’s great to be part of making that happen.

Perks 
circle.cloud attracts the very best staff and retains their existing workforce by providing a great working environment, an attractive package and a range of perks. There is a training and incentive budget for each employee which means every member of staff is offered the same opportunities and chance to develop and progress if they wish.

An extra day off is given for the employee’s birthday and an additional days’ leave is awarded for each year of service. They’re also signed up to Techscheme, enabling staff to get the latest tech for less, and Cyclescheme which provides savings of 26-40% on bikes and accessories.

Investing in staff 
circle.cloud supports their employees, encourages progression and endeavours to help their staff achieve their potential. Annual PDRs are conducted to monitor employees’ journeys and provide the opportunity for two-way feedback and goal setting. There is a training budget for each employee and internal promotions are supported and encouraged. Circle.cloud takes on a number of apprentices each year, providing support throughout and helping them kick-start their careers.

The circle.cloud Foundation
The circle.cloud Foundation was formed in 2021 with the aim of focusing on empowering children from any and all backgrounds to help them become who they want to become, or achieve what they want to achieve. We raise money through participation in events such as Tough Mudder, cycling and running events, mountain climbs and a range of other difficult challenges. In 2021, the Foundation raised £3,461.93 and the target for 2022 is £10,000!

A word from one of circle.cloud’s apprentices….

Ashley Kappa joined circle.cloud in February 2020 as a Network Engineering Apprentice and is now a fully qualified Network Engineer after passing his apprenticeship with a distinction.

What led you to do an apprenticeship with circle.cloud and PETA?
I went to college and then onto uni to study sport, but after a year I decided it wasn’t for me. I then got a job in hospitality but didn’t enjoy that either! My dad taught me the basics of networking years ago so I decided I wanted to do something in that area and that’s when I started looking for apprenticeships. I saw the apprenticeship with circle.cloud and decided to go for it!

I applied for the position and then went through the recruitment process with PETA which was straightforward thanks to the PETA team. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that an apprenticeship was the perfect way for me to build on my existing skills, so when they offered me the position I was thrilled!

How did circle.cloud support you throughout your apprenticeship? 
They supported me in many ways - by passing on their experience, allowing me to learn from them and teaching me how to do the job itself. My manager at the time had completed an apprenticeship himself some time ago so he knew first-hand what it was like and he provided me with a great deal of guidance and support throughout which was extremely valuable.

How did you find the service PETA provided? 
They were amazing! My tutor John was always available and willing to help me with whatever I needed. In fact the entire PETA team was great, always on hand to help and happy to give feedback so that I could improve my work. I passed with an overall distinction as the first circle.cloud apprentice to complete, I’ve set the bar high!

What are your plans for the future?
circle.cloud is growing and new opportunities often come up, so I’d like to continue building up my knowledge and experience and perhaps progress into a higher role eventually. Circle Cloud is great at encouraging their employees onwards and upwards so I know that any moves I make will be fully supported by them, which is great.

Why PETA for apprenticeships?

• We’re the leading training provider in Hampshire, PETA delivers quality apprenticeship programmes to over 400 apprentices every year.

• We partner with industry-leading employers to provide a wide range of great career opportunities.

• Our tutors and trainers are highly skilled experts in their fields, ready to guide you through your apprenticeship programme from start to finish.

• We have extensive apprenticeship experience, making us best placed for continued success.

• We work closely with the awarding bodies to ensure our training is as relevant and effective as possible.

• Our facilities are modern and purpose built to provide the ideal environment for your training.

• Our training is flexible, combining online, virtual and face-to-face training at our centres.

Find out more about circle.cloud or apply for the Apprentice Network Engineer position today. If you’d like to discuss the role prior to application, please contact us and we’ll be more than happy to help.