Apprenticeships have become a first choice for many young people in West Cumbria keen to develop a career without thousands of pounds of university debt and Indelible Data is continuing to support the next generation to do this.
Traditionally, an apprenticeship was seen as the inferior alternative to a university education but it’s becoming a go to for 16 and 17 year olds.
Becca McCallig from Westfield in Workington decided to pursue a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship through the Lakes College after completing GCSEs at Workington Academy.
An opportunity came up with Indelible Data and the 18-year-old leapt at the chance: “I wanted to do an apprenticeship because I’d be learning and getting experience in the workplace.
“I knew I didn’t want to go to university because I would have been left in so much debt. I think I’ve enjoyed it more than I would if I’d stayed in fulltime education.”
Maryport-based Indelible Data is Cumbria’s only dedicated cyber security company. It offers Cyber Essentials certification at Basic and Plus levels, Defence Cyber Certification, Penetration Testing and Cyber Security Awareness training.
Becca manages clients going through the Cyber Essentials Basic process and has a variety of duties including answering phones to clients and liaising with the technical team through to project completion.
“I feel like I have become more confident as a person and a lot more sociable since starting my apprenticeship,” she added. “Before my apprenticeship, the idea of picking up the phone to a customer was the worst thing in the world but now I don’t even think twice about it.”
Indelible Data has long been a supporter of apprenticeships in areas including cyber security, business administration, marketing and project management.
One of the big drivers for this was the difficulties common to many small business when trying to recruit.
Abbey Wright joined the Indelible Data team almost six years ago as a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice. After achieving a distinction, she progressed to a Level 4 Marketing Apprenticeship with the company.
She said: “ I have a six-year headstart in work ahead of some of my friends who are just finishing university.
“My first apprenticeship gave me access into work and the Marketing apprenticeship has enabled me to specialise.
“I feel it has set me up for life being able to do both my apprenticeships here.”
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