Focus Group launches Tech Academy with Apprentify to grow future engineering talent
It’s official! The Focus Tech Academy is here, a brand new initiative that invests in our people, nurtures future talent, and meets the global-growing demand for IT expertise.
In partnership with Apprentify, a leading digital and tech training provider - rated Outstanding by Ofsted by the way - we’re proud to welcome our very first cohort of apprentices. A total of 14 engineers have now embarked on the Network Engineer Apprenticeship programme, kickstarting their journey towards industry-recognised qualifications and career development.
Focus Tech Academy has been shaped to give our engineers the opportunity to develop skills, achieve professional certifications, and skyrocket their careers to new horizons. Even better, it’s allowed us to continue delivering exceptional customer service as demand for IT solutions increases.
Apprentify, together with its wider group of companies, specialises in helping businesses bridge skills gaps and futureproof performance. Their bespoke apprenticeships are designed to develop talent across a broad range of digital and technical disciplines – making them the perfect partner for the next generation of engineers.
Regarding this incredible opportunity, our Head of Engineering, DJ Barnett, had this to say:
"This is a fantastic opportunity for our engineers to gain hands-on experience while working towards industry-recognised qualifications. It’s not just about building technical expertise, but about opening doors to long-term career growth and ensuring we continue delivering the best for our customers. I’m really excited to see our first cohort take this step - their journey will not only shape their futures, but also strengthen the depth and capability of our entire engineering team."
This specific programme has been carefully tailored to suit our team’s needs, ensuring it aligns with the products and technologies our amazing engineers work with every day. Our apprentices will follow a closed cohort pathway, which combines learning with practical, on-the-job experience, while working towards a Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship. Along the way, they’ll also gain globally recognised qualifications, including CompTIA A+, CompTIA N+, AZ900, and MS900. It’s a win-win!
Why is this important? Well, HRLT couldn’t put it better themselves. Here’s what a few of our amazing team have to say about this next-level opportunity:
"As Chief People Officer, I’m passionate about ensuring our people grow with the business. Partnering with a forward-thinking business like Apprentify reinforces our commitment to focused development and career growth." - Katie
"At Focus Group, we believe that talent is nurtured, not just hired. Our partnership with Apprentify enables us to fulfil this ambition. We’re committed to creating an environment where every employee, at every stage of their journey, has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and shape the future with us." - Jonny
"We’re creating meaningful opportunities for upskilling that support both personal growth and our ambition to build a culture focused on continuous learning and development. This collaboration is already inspiring parts of the business to explore how we can use our apprenticeship levy to build stronger, more capable teams, and we see this as just the beginning." - Tabitha
This investment represents a significant step in our strategy to be the supplier of choice for cloud communications and IT services, equipping our teams with the skills and confidence they need to thrive and continue to provide our customers with top-notch services and solutions.
The Focus Tech Academy is only the beginning. With the IT industry evolving at a rapid pace, we see this as a fantastic opportunity, supporting career progression and creating a powerhouse team ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Keep a close eye out for what comes next!
Published 28th August 2025
