On Tuesday 13th March, managed IT Services specialist, ITZone247 visited the headquarters of Youth Action, Lancashire’s leading youth support organisation, to complete the handover of new software that should help local people to improve their IT skills and enhance their prospects for employment.
Youth Action is an independent community organisation that works with young people aged between 8 and 24. It now supports well over 5,000 members and much of its work involves helping them to develop new skills, to secure valuable training and to find their way into paid employment.
In an effort to do this, Youth Action encourages young people to develop experience and skills that have real value to employers. An important example of this is familiarity with the kind of computer software that is commonly used in business – packages that deal with vital tasks such as email, word processing and information management.
As a long-standing supporter of Youth Action, ITZone247 recently volunteered to provide and install Microsoft software at the organisation’s headquarters. The system was installed at the beginning of March and pronounced ready for use at the handover on Tuesday the 13th. Ready to test the new IT infrastructure were Michael and Eloise, two young East Lancashire-based members who were keen to add further computer skills to their CVs.
With them were ITZone247 Managing Director Mustak Patel, and Youth Action’s Development Manager Philip Austin.
“Youth Action does a truly fantastic job of helping to equip young people with the skills that will really serve them well in life,” said Mustak. “We’ve always been impressed by their practical, positive and realistic approach and by the lengths that they go to in order to help their members make a better future for themselves. We therefore had absolutely no reservations about donating this software because we were one hundred percent certain that they’ll make very good use it.”
Speaking on behalf of Youth Action, Philip Austin said: “Ties with the regional business community are extremely important to us. Not only do we benefit from the generous support of companies like ITZone247, but our continuing relationships with employers also help us to ensure that we’re encouraging our members to take meaningful action that will genuinely improve their chances of employment and enable them to take control of their own futures.
“We are very grateful to ITZone247 and, rest assured, we will put the new computer systems to excellent use. Anyone interested can visit our new website – www.youthaction.org.uk – for more info about our events and opportunities.”
Originally launched in London, ITZone247 moved its head office to Blackburn in 2005 but it also operates satellite offices in Manchester, Birmingham and London. It serves clients throughout the UK, providing IT support, consultancy and network design and installation services. More information can be found on its website – www.itzone247.com – or by calling its head office on 0845 370 7786.
By: Mustak Patel
