The award goes to the company who has successfully created a
happy and successful workforce through staff recruitment, training
and development, the working environment, staff benefits and
initiatives resulting in staff retention / reduction in staff
turnover. Luke Browning - software engineer, case study for Jatech
formed an important part of the entry.
'Jatech isn't just about sorting out endless IT problems for
clients and designing systems that work like a dream, rather than a
nightmare. We have a friendly collaborative approach to jobs and
problem solving, drawing on the experience of the team, learning
new skills and gaining appropriate qualifications to stay up to
date and ahead of the game.
The guys can really make IT an Asset, rather than a liability
for organisations.
The business is flexible regarding location with remote or home
working an option using browser based technology. Similarly working
times to suit an individual's situation are allowed. A previous
employee from Stonehouse HQ, now works from his base in New Zealand
as a contractor, and getting jobs done overnight has actually
worked extremely well for key customers.
Jatech also has a family friendly approach for people's
commitments to children, partners and parents. Part time working is
also offered to fit with things like school pickups, academic and
sporting endeavours.
The social side is good too. I've been flying with the MD who is
a qualified pilot, which is something I've never done before.
The Operations Director plays bass guitar in a band that been
on tour in Germany over half term. Lots of the team have been
canoeing on rivers and Stroud Pool for training first. We've all
danced the night away at a our Christmas bash, and just managed to
distract my girlfriend from catching the bouquet at a colleague's
wedding!'
The business was set up 16 years ago by Jeff
Tyndall following years of post graduate experience in
Hardware engineering plus Applied Mathematics for
Business and Engineering.
Jatech has quite a low profile even in Stonehouse,
where it is based on Springfield industrial estate with a team of
12, mostly developers. The IT specialist has well known customers
nationally like Harrods Bank, as well as Stonehouse neighbours
Astra Tech and senior schools Stroud High and Archway.
'I came to Jatech on work experience as a school boy from
Marling School back in 2006, where Jatech's MD had also been
a pupil many years before. Jeff said he noted my keen intuitive
programming abilities and responsive nature to guidance from the
start.
Working at Jatech I found I was a natural for IT and firmly
decided the world of computing was for me. The team at Jatech
encouraged me to identify a University place where I would develop
my knowledge, abilities, obvious interest and enjoyment of the
sector.'
All Jatech Directors are mid career graduates with first class
degrees in maths and computing disciplines. They have worked across
the IT spectrum and understand the benefits of top qualifications,
practical experience and ongoing training for their workforce.
'Exam results allowed me to win a place to study Computer
Science at University of the West of England (UWE). I have been
back at Jatech for a year working as a junior member of the
software development team.
Even in difficult trading conditions I believe my placement at
Jatech has been excellent for all involved. I have been able to
deliver real value to a number of Jatech clients and find work
great under the leadership provided by the Jatech team, I learn new
things every day.'
'Luke enjoys the challenging work and quickly learns what is
needed while not being afraid to ask questions when he comes across
difficulties. He now has direct experience of developing and
maintaining internet retail sites, warehouse management systems and
good use of several programming languages, improving and becoming
more fluent all the time. Luke has even had a hand in the business'
own site www.jatech.co.uk' Jeff MD said.
When Luke returns to Bristol's UWE for his fourth and final
year, his experience at Jatech, first as a school boy and now
junior software developer, will stand him in good stead.
Luke has the possibility of using Jatech client work in his
final year project and returning back in the holidays to earn extra
funds to reduce his education bills and augment and refresh his
hands-on knowledge still further.