SCCYBER

Oldham College has partnered with cyber security company SCCYBER to help Digital T Level students gain valuable industry experience.  

SCCYBER is an Oldham-based organisation working with businesses and education providers across IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, education and skills.  

Below, SCCYBER founder Sham Chohan explains how the partnership is developing, the opportunities it creates for learners and the benefits it brings to employers. 

What are the benefits of providing experience to T Level students? 

For me, one of the biggest benefits of taking on T Level students is being able to give young people genuine exposure to the workplace while they’re still learning. We currently have four Digital T Level students working with us and we’ve tried to make their experience as practical as possible. We task them with researching, troubleshooting, working on projects, communicating with each other and applying what they’re learning at college. 

How does working with learners help you develop your future workforce? 

It benefits us as a business because we get to work with potential future talent over a longer period of time. Qualifications are important, but when you work with someone, you get to see how they communicate, solve problems, learn and respond when they’re challenged. That’s difficult to understand from a CV or an interview alone. 

What is your relationship like with Oldham College? 

We’ve built a really positive relationship with Oldham College and it’s continued to develop beyond just T Level placements. There’s a shared interest in creating stronger links between education and industry and giving young people in Oldham better access to opportunities in technology and cybersecurity. 

Any advice for other businesses considering taking on a T Level student?  

My advice to other businesses would be to give young people a chance and give them something meaningful to do. They won’t walk through the door knowing everything, and they shouldn’t be expected to. Give them appropriate responsibility, let them ask questions, let them make mistakes and give them an opportunity to show you what they’re capable of. 

Interested in offering a work placement to our learners? Contact us at workexperience@oldham.ac.uk