Everybody is subject to being attacked or hacked. Rarely a day goes by without there being news of new hacks – both large and small. This online resource is updated regularly with the latest information about Cyber Security News.

Nobody is immune from being hacked! If you or your business have not been hacked, then that just increases the chances that you will be hacked soon – unless you take steps to prevent it or mitigate the impact.

Every level of organisation needs to have cyber security professionals on staff. We look to support all companies through our apprenticeships in Cyber Security, not just IT companies.

A common attack which everyone is susceptible to is Social Engineering.

Social Engineering takes advantages of the weaknesses of people – your employees. There is no tool to prevent Social Engineering and, in most cases, people will not be aware of an attack. Essentially, this type of attack is about getting users to give out confidential information to unauthorised people. They are fooled into thinking it is all legitimate. The most common way this occurs is by telephone or even face-to-face but a particularly prevalent form of Social Engineering these days is the Phishing Attack.

With a Phishing Attack the victim is sent an email which encourages them to click on a hyperlink, apparently directing them to a website. The point about this is that the website is almost certainly not legitimate. A hyperlink is typically text underlined in blue but what it says, such as the address of a website, is not necessarily the site it will take you to. What you see underlined is simply plain text. It is the properties of the hyperlink which dictate the address you will be taken to. This may well be a malicious website controlled by the hacker with the aim of getting you to enter confidential information.

Other versions of a Phishing Attack include Spear Phishing, which targets a particular group or type of people with something in common, and Whaling which targets typically C-Level members of a company – the big phish!

Whilst some technologies try and combat Phishing, the best and cheapest way is by educating users – company employees. They need to understand what to look for and what to do when they see it – or suspect it. Everybody uses email, and everybody is vulnerable to this attack.

Vulnerabilities is another huge concern for everybody using computers.

Every machine should be constantly updated – not just the operating system (Windows, Linux, MacOS etc.) but the software or programs installed on it. Hackers look for vulnerabilities and all software installations have vulnerabilities. Manufacturers such as Microsoft learn about the vulnerabilities and release patches to fix them. It is then the task of a user, or the Company IT Department, to ensure that those fixes are installed as soon as possible after they are released. If a patch is not installed, then it may give access to the computer to a hacker who is aware of it.

The third type of attack is an attack on passwords or authentication.

Everybody should be using a username and password to access their computer – both at home and at work. Nobody should be using the same password for more than one purpose and ideally in today’s high-tech world where cracking passwords is a serious occupation for hackers at all levels, everybody should be using two factor authentication whenever possible – using something you possess (a token/device generating a unique number) or something you are (biometrics such as fingerprints or facial scans).

Passwords which we remember and type in are simply not good enough and we should all be using password managers both privately and in commercial companies. Password managers generate, store and automatically enter all your passwords. They are protected by your master password, which you must remember, and if required 2 factor authentication. Next time you read about passwords being stolen when a company is hacked you do not need to worry as much because the hacker does not have the second factor required.

In September 2015, Eastern Voice and Data started working with 3aaa Apprenticeships, and have said that they chose us as their training provider because we had a “professional and supportive approach”.

To ensure the business saved time and money whilst looking for the most suitable Apprentice for the job role, we used our Complimentary Recruitment Service. We advertised the Apprentice vacancy, screened applicants and pre-interviewed candidates so that the company only interviewed the most appropriate people for the business. Because of this service, it wasn’t long before Callum Jackson joined the business as their IT Apprentice.

Callum said “I chose to become an IT Apprentice with 3aaa Norwich was because of their good reviews. I also noticed that 3aaa had a number of courses that appealed to me.”

Callum’s manager, Russell Marriott explained that the hands-on experience that Callum has been doing during his Apprenticeship has allowed him to contribute to the business positively.

“Our experience with hiring an Apprentice has been really enjoyable and 3aaa are supportive. Being able to integrate real world requirements with training has provided us with a well-rounded and experienced employee who has been able to put his training into practice.”

The IT, Web, Software and Telecoms training programme has allowed Callum to gain strong qualifications whilst gaining vital experience in the workplace. He said that “The Level 3 course gave me a lot of knowledge of the subject which I believe is needed when you are an Apprentice, whilst learning specific skills on the job.”

Callum completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship and then moved onto the BCS Level 4 Network Engineer qualification, advancing his IT skills. Since he began working at Eastern Voice and Data, Callum completed both programmes with flying colours, most recently achieving a Distinction on his BCS Level 4 Network Engineer course.

Callum said “3aaa matched me with a company that allowed me to thrive. Throughout my course I always knew where I could find support on the work I was doing. My mentors always went the extra mile to ensure I succeeded. Overall, I had a great experience that has now set me up for the rest of my IT career. I would do it all over again!”

Pictured above: Callum Jackson receiving his 3aaa East Anglian Apprentice of the Month certificate with his employer, Russell Marriott.

To find out more about hiring an Apprentice from 3aaa, or for more information about how you can get started on one of our outstanding Apprenticeship programmes, speak to one our 36 local academies across England to get the support you require. Find your nearest local 3aaa academy, here: https://www.3aaa.co.uk/find-us/

At some point in their careers, everybody has worked for, or with a bad manager and this tends to stem from them not having the ability to communicate effectively, meaning key messages get lost and members of the team start to feel seriously undervalued and out of the loop.

At 3aaa Apprenticeships, we offer a Leadership & Management training suite in partnership with CMI, in the form of the Level 3 Team Leader and the Level 5 Operations Manager programmes. Both of these programmes truly embed communication skills within every module and element, endorsing just how important communication is within the management world.

Two vital characteristics of a successful manager and colleague relationship are trust and transparency and these two things can be created and sustained by strong, effective communication. Many managers will have a plethora of ideas and a strong vision and strategy for their teams and organisation but if they cannot communicate these effectively and ‘roll-out’ to their teams, then it is likely to get lost in translation and not implemented as it was meant. Strong communication skills can turn a manager into a leader.

A recent blog post by CMI discusses the management development of Snapchat CEO, Evan Spiegel, after an anonymous survey and the loss of millions of users caused him to look into his management style and make urgent changes for the good of his organisation.

Spiegel conducted an anonymous survey with his employees, asking how he could adapt and improve his leadership style. One of the most common responses was that he needed to stop being so secretive and communicate his strategy and objectives more clearly to the wider team. This simple lack of communication could’ve avoided the plummet in Snapchat’s users and completely changed the recent fortunes of the organisation. You can read the article in full here.

Below are our top 5 tips for effective communication for managers:

1. Knowledge – know what you are talking about – communication with your team will carry more weight if what you are saying is valuable and correct. Colleagues are more likely to soak up key information if they have a confidence in the information and direction that they are being given.
2. Listen and acknowledge – one of the most important communication skills is having the ability to listen and acknowledge advice and information from your wider team. As well as giving you a vital insight into your teams’ expert opinions, it will also encourage them to put your plans into action if they feel valued and that they are being listened to.
3. Understand your team – people take in information in different ways and understanding your teams’ personalities and what makes them tick is another important part of communicating with them.
4. Be clear and confident – when communicating with your team in person, by e-mail or on the phone, ensure that you speak clearly and with confidence. Colleagues will look to you as a leader and it is important that they understand your communication and believe in what you are trying to achieve.
5. Build trust and transparency within your team – the most effective way to build a high-performing and happy team is to build trust and transparency within it. Create a culture where everyone feels like they can have a voice and all members feel part of what the team is trying to achieve.

In summary, it is vital that all managers instil an open, ‘best practice’ culture within their teams, giving their colleagues the platforms to showcase their skillset. Never underestimate the importance of communication to the success of your team and the wider organisation.

A recent article published by FE News demonstrates that nearly half (49%) of parents would encourage their son/daughter to start an apprenticeship rather than apply for university, as they offer a ‘better chance of getting a good job’, with a little over half of parents considering the costs of university education to be the key factor in their preference for their child to take up an apprenticeship.

An article was published by Tes with different findings, portraying the fact that parents consider apprenticeships a ‘last resort’, as a new survey suggests a third of parents aren’t actually aware of what an apprenticeship is. A few of the myths parents have about apprenticeships are:

• Apprentices are thought to be poorly paid
• Parents see apprentices as a ‘last resort’ for those who fail exams
• The perception that apprenticeships do not lead to successful careers

One of the measures that has been put in place to bust these myths is the introduction of the ‘Baker clause’. This legal duty requires schools to open their door to colleges and FE providers. This is positive for training providers as it opens up more opportunities to go into schools and speak to students, making them aware of the options available to them.

Simon Ashworth, Chief Policy Officer of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers has said there is a long way to go in order to convince parents and teachers on the advantages of choosing an apprenticeship. He added:

Young people themselves are ahead of the game, especially in terms of questioning whether they burden themselves with student debt.

“As more schools implement the Baker Clause requirements with a recognition that apprenticeships are for pupils of all abilities, the message should get through to more parents as their children explain that apprenticeships can put young people on the road to a highly successful career.”

We understand the struggle behind finding reliable and useful information about apprenticeships, which is why we have created a Parents Guide to Apprenticeships, which is free to download. Within this guide, you can find out more about:

• The benefits of apprenticeships
• The apprenticeship programmes 3aaa Apprenticeships offer
• Progression opportunities
• Why choose an apprenticeship
• Frequently asked questions

Alternatively, your local 3aaa Apprenticeships academy is always available and on hand to answer any questions regarding you or your son/daughter’s potential apprenticeship journey. Find your nearest academy here.

We work closely with schools, young people and parents alike to keep busting the myths about apprenticeships, providing valuable information to them about potential life-changing opportunities.

I’ve always had a passion for maths and working with numbers so this field was exactly what I was looking for. I was able to work full time in an accountancy firm, whilst gaining my AAT qualification alongside and attending the 3aaa Academy one day per week.

Whilst studying to become a Professional Accounting Technician, Sanya also completed her Level 4 Extended Diploma in Business, giving her the motivation to push on and pass all of her exams, despite initially finding it challenging.

“When I was looking online for apprenticeships, I came across 3aaa Apprenticeships on the Government website,” Sanya said. “After having done some research, I applied and was then invited to come in for an interview. Not long after that I was enrolled onto my AAT programme!”

“I built a great relationship with my tutors as well as the academy manager,” Sanya continued. “Every member of staff was extremely friendly and any queries were answered quickly. Tutors were very flexible too, if there was an exam date set but I wasn’t feeling confident at all and needed some extra time, my tutors were kind enough to allow me to delay my exam for a few days until I was 100% ready. The cooperation and support (from 3aaa) was fantastic and my tutors really did want me to pass as much as I did myself. Everyone was so motivating!”

Sanya said that she would highly recommend the apprenticeship route to anyone who may be having second thoughts about starting sixth form, college or university. “This is the fast track route to beginning your career. I have friends who have graduated from university but due to having no work experience, they’re struggling to find employment. Employers nowadays look for experienced individuals.”

Talking about her future, Sanya said: “Many firms will take on junior candidates holding their AAT qualifications, plus the experience puts you in a great position. I have found so many different opportunities available to me!”

Sanya is just one of many fantastic Apprentices that have launched their career through a 3aaa Apprenticeship. During an Apprenticeship, Apprentices are supported both within the workplace, and by their 3aaa academy. 3aaa endeavour to give the best possible experience to Apprentices, helping them to develop themselves with skills and experiences they will need for a successful career outside of their qualification.

If you’re interested in becoming an Apprentice with 3aaa, we have 36 local academies across England that can provide information, advice and guidance to help you access your dream career. Getting started with 3aaa is easy, we can provide help and support with CV and interview tips and techniques.

To find out more about becoming an Apprentice visit 3aaa.co.uk.

Buzz Carter, Head of Outreach at Bulldog Digital Media, is a former 3aaa Apprentice and now plays a key role within the business, running his own team and delivering award-nominated campaigns. Starting out on a Digital Marketing programme with 3aaa Apprenticeships, Buzz saw this as an opportunity to build on some of the experiences that he’d gained from previously working part time at his Aunt’s recruitment firm, and to build a career within the marketing industry.

“I decided to go for the apprenticeship route in 2015,” Buzz said, “I had been at a sixth form for the previous years and it just wasn’t working for me. I felt unmotivated to learn in a traditional education environment and knew that I needed to change my approach to education, which is why I decided to go for an apprenticeship.”

I had been working part time whilst at sixth form and found that I was learning a lot more in a workplace environment with actual tasks and responsibilities, so it just made sense to move over to an apprenticeship.

“When I started, my job was mostly doing admin for SEO Executives and helping out on some of the on-page SEO issues (including writing meta descriptions, interlinking blogs etc.). Then after a year or so, I moved towards the Outreach Department.

Now my current role has built from that. I am the Head of Outreach at Bulldog Digital Media, we’re one of the fastest growing Digital Marketing agencies around and it’s a completely different environment. I’ve ran campaigns nominated for awards all across Europe, as well as being nominated for a few myself, and run a team of Outreach Executives – so I really have come a long way from when I started my apprenticeship in 2015.”

Bulldog Digital Media take full advantage of Apprenticeship training, with Apprentices playing a large role in Buzz’s team and across the whole of the business. “Some people underestimate the value of having apprentices, but you can mould them to be a perfect fit within a team, you can experiment with them in different roles and see what they excel at,” Buzz said. All coming from different backgrounds, their Apprentices have always been eager to learn and excel within their roles, making perfect team members.

Joe Turbin is one of the current apprentices at Bulldog Digital Media, currently studying towards his Level 3 Digital Marketer programme. Joe chose the apprenticeship route because he thought that it seemed like the best way to get his foot in the door in the digital marketing industry, as well as providing education about different transferable marketing skills.

“I am really enjoying the programme as I feel very comfortable here, and I am learning a lot,” Joe said. “It’s particularly enjoyable because I feel that this job role is tailored towards my skillset.”

I really enjoy my academy days too, because they give you the opportunity to meet new people who are passionate about similar things to you.

Bulldog Digital Media is one of many fantastic employers that we work with to provide the highest quality training and apprentices. Apprenticeships are an amazing way to support the internal growth and development of a business through the use of our industry-leading programmes.

Talking about his personal experience with 3aaa Apprenticeships, Buzz said: “Most of my experience with 3aaa was amazing. It all started with Luke Culling, who sorted all of my paperwork, helped with my CV, finding suitable roles and giving me advice on how to market myself to potential employers. From there it was all smooth sailing, my mentors at 3aaa were great and imparted a lot of good knowledge onto me, from start to finish.”

To learn more about 3aaa Apprenticeships’ industry-leading Apprenticeship programmes, how you can get started on one yourself or how you can hire an Apprentice, speak to one of our 36 local academies across England to get the support that you or your business require through our complimentary recruitment service, CV and interview tips and more.

1. Increase in morale in the workplace – Incorporating training opportunities into your organisation is likely to give your employees an increase in morale as they will feel a greater sense of belonging. They are also likely to feel that the organisation cares about them and wants to give them the opportunity to progress. This will lead to a more confident and all-round happier workforce!

2. Eradicate weaknesses and fill vital skills gaps – even the strongest employees in organisations have weaknesses. Providing a culture of training and development will allow all members of the team to focus on development areas which have been identified in their regular reviews to create a more rounded workforce.

3. Improve employee performance – A more skilled and confident workforce will result in improved employee performance, providing employees with the knowledge to be more efficient and productive within their roles.

4. Enhance the reputation of your organisation – organisations that are seen to offer training and development opportunities to their workforce are viewed in a more positive light across all sectors. Staff will naturally be more excited and enthusiastic about working for an organisation that is constantly looking to develop its employees.

5. Reduce employee turnover – employees who feel that they can progress and ‘better themselves’ within an organisation are less likely to have their ‘heads turned’ by other organisations or opportunities.



6. Increase in innovation and creativity – giving your workforce the latest training will allow them to bring the latest skills and knowledge into your business and keep their ‘creative juices flowing’. Innovation comes from having the confidence to try new ideas. Training can build this confidence.

7. Stay ahead of the curve – empowering employees with the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge will allow your organisation to stay ahead of the curve in terms of new trends and technologies.

8. Increase in productivity– as an SME, you may not be blessed with a huge team, making it even more important that each member of your workforce is as productive and effective within their roles as possible.

9. Improved customer retention – a happier and more skilled workforce will naturally lead to a more effective workplace. The knock-on effect of this is that your organisation is likely to provide a better customer service and product and encourage your customer base to stay loyal to your organisation and your brand.

10. Enjoy a more consistent workplace – having a training development strategy in place will ensure that all your employees have equal opportunities to progress and will all learn the same skills, at the same level of quality, ensuring consistency throughout.

Training and development plays a huge part in the success and growth of SMEs across a range of different sectors and embedding this culture into your organisation will put a strong foundation in place for the present and the future of the business.

Richard Irons, currently Chief Operating Officer, will take over the day-to-day management of the business in the newly created role of Managing Director, reporting to Derek Mapp, Chairman. Richard joined 3aaa in June 2016 and was previously CFO of Romax Technology. He is a qualified chartered accountant.

Peter and Di jointly founded the business over ten years ago. Since then, their passion and commitment has resulted in 3aaa becoming one of the largest apprenticeship businesses in England. The board supports Peter and Di’s decision and welcomes Richard into his new role, as 3aaa continues to grow and develop in new markets.

Peter and Di jointly said, “we are tremendously proud of what we have built together with the support of both the management and all of the staff that are currently employed in the business. We are grateful to the staff who have worked with us over the last ten years.

“We feel it is now time for us to stand down together, ten years after jointly founding the business. Moving forward, we will now take the opportunity to focus on our health and families.”

Derek Mapp, Chairman of 3aaa commented, “I have rarely experienced the total dedication and exceptional effort that both Peter and Di have applied to this business. They will be missed, but it is to their great credit that they have successfully put in place strong management succession for the company going forward. The board wishes them every success.”

One of the main reasons guests found the event so valuable was the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) presenting their Levy journey and sharing their experiences and best practice, giving guests an insight into the challenges that similar organisations are facing and how they are overcoming them.

Fabiola Palermo, Project Officer for Apprenticeships and NGDP at the RBKC spoke to guests about how they approached the Levy, their initial challenges and how they have made the reforms work for them and truly embedded Apprenticeships into their talent and development strategy.

Members of the team at the RBKC initially came together to discuss the potential challenges and benefits of investing in Apprenticeships, creating the ‘Think Apprenticeships’ initiative and engrained this within the core of the organisation. They had a range of challenges from the offset, both internally and externally, ensuring that their employees fully understood Apprenticeships and also dealing with the budget reductions within local government. Despite these challenges, RBKC has become a thought leader within the public sector and pushed forward with this exciting initiative.

With no previous experience of Apprenticeships within the organisation, RBKC decided that the time was right to invest in Apprenticeships in correlation with the Levy, with the aim of utilising their Levy funds in conjunction with employee’s annual appraisals, focusing on personal development and career progression. They were keen as an organisation to grant staff the ability to develop their career, whilst working in the same role, also ensuring that succession planning was at the forefront of their thinking.

The council is currently utilising their Levy funds through a range of programmes in different departments, with a large focus on the digital Apprenticeship standards to allow them to stay ahead of the curve. Their programme areas include Leadership and Motivation, Data Analysis and Cyber Security, Finance/Accounting, HR and Customer Service. At the conference, Fabiola discussed the importance of these opportunities, in providing their workforce with added motivation and the ability to gain valuable qualifications.

The Levy Conference brought together a range of our current partners and other organisations who are currently in the process of implementing similar Apprenticeship strategies within their businesses. It also included a presentation from Denise Moon, Head of Learning and Development at Mencap, who discussed their own Apprenticeship Levy journey and shared her experiences with other delegates. Guests were also given an insight into how the Levy has impacted on the Digital Industries and the benefits of investing in Digital Apprenticeships to stay ahead of the curve.

Our next Apprenticeship Levy Conference will be held on Wednesday 28th November. Keep an eye out on our website and social media platforms for more information about the location, theme and agenda. You can register your place for this conference now: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/d/3305E4ABDC7DA679

After learning about our comprehensive Software Development programme, Clarity Information Solutions hired Hayden Leach as their Software Development Technician Apprentice and he made an instant impact on the business. By taking advantage of a shake-up within their business sector, Hayden’s hard work and commitment to his role meant that the business was able to take over several contracts from other key players within the market.

Hayden started his Apprenticeship in October 2016 on our Level 3 Software Development Technician programme and has since progressed onto our Level 4 Software Developer programme. After being presented with the choice of either going to university or pursuing an Apprenticeship, Hayden had a huge decision to make in terms of deciding how to take the first step in shaping his software development career.

“My initial thought was that lots of software development jobs would require a degree so how would an apprenticeship help me?” Hayden said, when discussing how he made his choice, “Upon finding 3aaa, I was able to see that an apprenticeship would offer me the real world experience as well the qualifications and knowledge required to be a software developer, with the bonus of earning a wage while doing so!”

Hayden is now on the verge of completing his Level 4 qualification and has an employment contract lined up with Clarity Information Solutions.

“The main pull of becoming an apprentice for myself was the real world experience,” Hayden continued, “You are not sitting around watching people work and making cups of tea; you are actively engaging with your fellow work associates by assisting and contributing to projects: all of which is in a live, real world environment. This experience has allowed me to truly see what is involved in the job and understand all of the workings you may not necessarily see in a classroom based environment.”

Hayden believes that his experience throughout his Level 3 and Level 4 programmes have not only improved his technical skills, but also his personal skills too.

Clarity Information Solutions is one of many employers that we work with to provide the highest quality training and Apprentices. Apprenticeships are the perfect way to support the internal growth and development of a business, through the use of industry-leading programmes.

To learn more information about 3aaa Apprenticeships’ industry-leading Apprenticeship programmes, how you can get started on one or how you can hire an Apprentice, speak to one of our 36 local academies across England to get the support that you or your business require through our complimentary recruitment service, CV and interview tips and more.