Success Story, Darren Conlon
Darren Conlon joined Mercia Partnership on a Foundation IT Apprenticeship programme in November 2006. He already had lots of knowledge of IT support including the use of hardware and software but wanted the opportunity to put this into practice in a real IT working environment and gain a qualification.
Whilst at Mercia, Darren worked alongside qualified IT technicians and his confidence grew as he gained more practical skills and worked towards his IT Professional Practitioner award.
Mercia offered Darren the opportunity to complete his Apprenticeship at HMP Liverpool and he made such a good impression that the organisation offered him a full time position providing IT support within the prison’s learning and skills IT department. Darren is now responsible for security of equipment, information and delivers IT support and he has also achieved the IT Professional Practitioner qualification and Key Skills Level 2.
Mercia nominated Darren for an ICT Apprentice of the Year award and after he was short-listed, Darren and his parents traveled to the Apprentice of the Year Ceremony in London where he was presented with a Highly Commended ICT Sector Apprenticeship Award. The award was presented by Karen Price, CEO, e-skills UK who are part of the Skills for Business network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils.
