Vital Solutions Development Manager, Mark Calvert, provided the first employer talk at the IT Diploma Induction event at Park Royal.

Mark introduced assembled students to the world of data centres and their importance within the infrastructure of the ever-expanding IT industry.

The day-long event was part of the Ealing and Hillingdon Education Business Partnership  (EHEBP) which brings together people from education, business and employers from the two boroughs to provide information and opportunities for young people and the community.

Mark also spoke about the essential need for data integrity as well as potential benefits, problems and solutions accorded with progress towards more energy-efficient, greener systems.

“I tried to engage the students on issues surrounding the internet, its uses, its value, its problems and its future. I was interested in introducing them to an internet data centre as well as hearing their thoughts and expectations,” explained Mark.

“We discussed Facebook, Youtube, Myspace, Bebo, Halfords and what those sites physically represented in terms of hardware, software, and applications.  I tried to keep things brief and to the point, and was impressed with the students’ thoughts. There were some good thinkers there.

“After the talks we did some problem-solving exercises. It was good to see that some of the students were able to apply logic and reasoning and were good at thinking alternatively to solve the problems.

“Over all, it proved a positive experience for me and I hope I didn't scare too many students away!”

Students also heard from an IT consultant who spoke about the industry from an upper-level business perspective and working with customers to provide solutions to ‘real world’ problems. Finally, a computer company spokesman talked of the importance of networking and the increasing need for virtualisation and cloud networks.

The IT Diploma has been delivered in Ealing schools since the beginning of September and is looking to host Industry taster days to give IT Diploma students an insight into careers and opportunities available in this sector.

Vital features prominently on the apprenticeship agenda as one of the leading companies for apprentice placements for 18-25-year-olds in the IT industry each year.

Vital hosts the EHEBP within the London Park Royal office and CEO Bob Wright is also a director on the board at EHEBP.