b'Partner News Winter 2020 21EnterpriseThe pandemic has forced almost allIN4.0 aims to address the digital skills gapsFollowing the success of IN4.0 and IET organisations to drive a digital transformationacross Lancashire and Greater Manchesterworking together on IN4.0 access in 2019, agenda, taking weeks to do what in the pastby working with employers to recruit digitalthis new partnership will allow for even they thought would take years. But as wetalent from diverse backgrounds, creatingmore collaboration, providing opportunities need to address economic challenges andinclusive opportunities for those who mayfor both sides to grow and expand their market volatility, the smart ones know thatnot otherwise have access. networks and spheres of influence. The they need to continue this momentum.partnership will see the organisations With this in mind, IN4.0 saw an opportunityworking together on the IN4.0 talent This isnt just a qualification issue; forfor the talent academy to readdress theacademy, a fast-track graduate recruitment instance, having people with the latestchallenge of diversity, and to empowerand development programme.engineering degree is only part of thegraduates with the technical expertise and story. Its about hiring people with the rightsoft skills they need to enter the workplaceAs part of the academy, graduates will blend of academic background, professionalwith confidence.benefit from their first year of membership qualifications, technical expertise and softto the IET, putting them on the path to skills. Plus, ambition and resilience. We callIn the first cohort of the academy, 50% areachieving their IET chartered engineer status. this being work ready. women, over 50% of the graduates are fromWith a focus on cloud and digital skills, the a BAME background, and over 25% are theacademy reflects a shared interest on both The IN4.0 talent academy, part of IN4.0first generation of their family to attendsides to both broaden the perception of Group, is already working with a number ofuniversity. engineering and the nature of the profession.employers in the North West region who are already benefiting from work-readyTom Russell from Bentley Motors agrees weMo Isap, CEO and founder of IN4.0 Group, graduates to help undertake industrialneed to look ahead, and said: Businessessaid: We are thrilled to be partnering with projects and drive digital transformationneed to focus on rebuilding their talentthe IET on our talent academy, which in a within their businesses. pipelines and preparing for the future. Thepost-Covid world is more important than IN4.0 talent academy has amazing talentever before.We look forward to welcoming IN4.0 runs a 12-week specialist digital skillsthat industry should be harnessing. the IET to the wealth of diverse talent and training programme, which acts like a bonuspotential we have in the North West and term for graduates to build on their academicWhile the next year will continue to beare excited about the opportunity to work achievements. Once students complete thechallenging across all sectors, businessestogether to deliver the next generation of course, they will be qualified Amazon Cloudthat can access diverse, work readyengineers.Practitioners and members of the IET. graduates with a combination of technology and engineering skills have the highestMatthew Barber, IET Senior Partnership The programme was awarded fundingchance of thriving. Account Manager, said: We are delighted from the Fast Track Fund, in partnershipthat IN4.0 Group have joined the IETs with the Department for Culture Media &Our talent can provide instant projectEnterprise Partnership. This partnership, Sport (DCMS), the Lancashire Digital Skillssupport and we have a range of flexibleespecially on the IN4.0 talent academy Partnership and the Greater Manchesterrecruitment options available, includingwill provide a career progression route to Combined Authority (GMCA).permanent recruitment and a contractoryoung professionals from all backgrounds, model. beginning their engineering journey which is According to the Office of National Statistics,aligned to the Engineering Councils UK-SPEC only 12% of women work in the engineeringEmployers in the North West who areframework and professional qualification.sector and only 17% work in technology ininterested in accessing digital talent the UK. While those from a BAME (black,to support the development of theirBoth the IET and IN4.0 Group share a great Asian and minority ethnic) background arebusinesses are welcome to get in touchdesire to empower future leaders which less likely to be in positions of responsibility. with the IN4.0 team at: info@in40.co.ukcreates the perfect template for both organisations to succeed in delivering an The only way we can ensure our promisingIN4.0 Group and the IET collaborateindustry leadership programme across the graduates from the most diverseto sponsor and develop emergingNorth West region.backgrounds reach their full potential andengineering talentbecome the leaders they aspire to be is by supporting them, not just in the future, butIN4.0 Group and The IET are delighted to right now when they actually need help.announce their formal partnership as IN4.0 joins over 100 SME businesses in the UK as We are at real risk of widening the digitalan IET Enterprise Partner.skills gap in industry as 61% of employers offering work experience placementsIN4.0 Group is an industry 4.0 training, have had to cancel, and 39% of graduaterecruitment consultancy and digital employers say they expect to hire fewertransformation services provider based graduates or none at all in the next 12at The Landing at MediaCityUK and the months, in a report from the Sutton Trust. University of Central Lancashire in Preston.'