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More than a dozen staff at an expanding computer and gaming online retailer are attending new upskilling workshops leading to apprenticeships with Midlands training experts Performance Through People (PTP).
Overclockers UK, based in Stoke-on-Trent, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of PCs, hardware, components and accessories for customers across the UK, as well as supplying globally.
The company has recently relocated into larger 100,000 sq ft premises in Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramic valley, and the training investment has been agreed as part of its continuing growth.
Tracey Boulton is programme leader at PTP, part of the BCTG Group, and is based at the training firm’s offices in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
She explained that 13 staff from Overclockers were already booked onto workshops that would result in Certificates in Principles of Customer Services and Principles of Team Leading.
Ms Boulton said: “We are already discussing the potential progression of staff from the first course onto Customer Service L3 apprenticeships.
“Once the team leading workshops are held, we will also be discussing more progressions to Team Leading/Supervisor L3 and Departmental/Operational Management L5 apprenticeships.”
Melanie Taylor, senior HR and office manager at Overclockers, explained that the company’s relocation to Shelton Boulevard was a symbol of the investment being made back into the business and its colleagues.
She said this had already resulted in the first batch of Overclockers’ technicians and customer support staff completing the Customer Services certificate, which will now benefit customers seeking technical support and sales advice.
Ms Taylor said: “We are providing a modern workplace and facilities with the space to improve the service we offer, enabling us to grow quickly.
“We are also making investments into future growth through education and training, by partnering with PTP to upskill colleagues and find new ways of working to bring even more value to customers, suppliers, partners and stakeholders.
“We’re delighted with the support that PTP has already provided and look forward to developing the workshops that will see many of our staff enrolling onto formal apprenticeship programmes.”
Pictured from left to right: Overclockers staff Marcel Trif, Melanie Taylor, Steve Ling, and Nemo Shikari.