Cegal expands UK tech apprenticeships & mentoring schemes

Cegal is expanding its training, apprenticeship and mentoring schemes in the UK as part of a broader push to grow its own technology workforce and address skills shortages in the IT sector.

The Norway-headquartered company has built a structured development framework for staff in its UK IT operations team. The business focuses on certifications, formal apprenticeships and internal mentoring. It is also partnering with Microsoft and QA on specialist programmes.

Industry bodies and employers have warned for years about a shortage of experienced technologists. Many companies remain reluctant to recruit candidates without long track records. Cegal is positioning its programmes as routes into IT jobs for graduates and career changers who face barriers at entry level.

The company places formal training at the centre of its IT operations function in the UK. It has created a structured learning plan that covers core technology skills and links these to potential future roles. The model emphasises steady progress and measurable outcomes.

Every IT operations team member is encouraged to complete at least two professional certifications each year. The qualifications range from frameworks such as ITIL to vendor-neutral courses like CompTIA. They also include full apprenticeship programmes.

Cegal expects staff who complete training to share knowledge internally. The company says this spreads specialist expertise between colleagues and into customer projects. It also says this system supports staff who want to move into more technical or specialised posts.

Apprenticeship route

Cegal runs an IT Support Apprenticeship within this framework. The scheme is delivered in partnership with QA and is supported by the Scottish Government. It is aligned with SCQF Level 8.

The apprenticeship combines classroom study and on-the-job learning. It covers project management topics and digital transformation. It also includes scripting and a structured professional development element.

Apprentices work alongside experienced staff on live customer support. They rotate through tasks on the service desk and other functions. The company says this gives them exposure to customer requirements at an early stage.

Two recent apprentices, Mirela Dancheva and Richie Lornie, are highlighted as case studies. They have combined coursework with ITIL and Microsoft certification training. They have also taken on direct customer support responsibilities.

Chris Rankin, Manager IT Operations, Cegal, said the model is now delivering tangible outcomes for the team.

"At Cegal, training and professional development are key priorities. Our structured training plan and apprenticeship opportunities enable us to grow our team, expand our collective knowledge, and continue delivering world-class service to our customers, all while inspiring new talent to pursue IT careers. It's incredibly rewarding to see our team evolve, with apprentices like Mirela and Richie joining us and quickly contributing to our success. Many of our team members have advanced into specialised technical roles, clear evidence that our approach to training and development truly works," said Rankin.

Dancheva is a Service Desk Analyst and QA Apprentice at Cegal. She described a working week that blends study and operational work.

"Cegal's decision to integrate QA's apprenticeship programme into the working environment, has given me a fantastic opportunity to broaden my knowledge in a variety of areas. Including service support, asset management, and business initiatives, all of which I find very interesting. I thoroughly enjoy the dedicated weekly training time we receive since it allows me to blend hands-on work with focused learning and personal development. I've always valued possibilities for growth, and the ability to study alongside my career is tremendously rewarding. I'm also pursuing certifications such as Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) and hope to obtain as many as possible to further develop my abilities and confidence in the IT field," said Dancheva.

Mentoring focus

Cegal has also created a formal mentoring programme. It connects junior consultants with senior colleagues. The company says this structure responds to one of the sector's biggest challenges, which is the gap between entry-level and senior roles.

Under the scheme, new recruits are assigned mentors when they join. The mentors support them on projects and in internal work. Juniors are included in delivery from their first days in the role.

Cegal says this model gives junior staff practical experience more quickly than a traditional hierarchy. It also says it gives customers confidence that less-experienced consultants receive oversight from senior experts. The firm reports that some clients have seen faster development cycles on projects that use blended junior and senior teams.

The company's Geoscience department runs a separate summer internship scheme. The programme targets students who have not yet graduated. It offers mentoring from practising geoscientists and exposure to real-world workflows.

Cloud Academy

Cegal has added a Cloud Academy on top of its in-house training. The initiative runs in partnership with Microsoft. It provides structured learning paths in cloud disciplines and associated certification tracks.

Staff who pass key exams receive internal recognition and rewards. Cegal says this has increased the number of cloud-certified employees. The company expects this to strengthen its position in cloud consulting and managed services.

Across these programmes, Cegal states that investment in people has direct business effects. It cites internal progression into specialised roles and positive feedback from customers. The company plans to continue expanding its training, apprenticeship, mentoring and cloud education schemes in the coming years.