APPRENTICES from a Worcester firm have been helping it stay operational during the coronavirus panic.

SME Broker Services' apprentices Luke Inett, Marcel Ratajewski and Jake Griffin are working with SME and Heart

of Worcestershire College to help ready the firm for the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, which has seen the business migrate to a working from home environment.

The three helped create a disaster recovery plan, continue with data deliveries and helping compile vast data records to migrate the office this week.

Logistically, Luke, Marcel and Jake have all had to make home visits to ensure all employees have access to a computer or laptop and a steady internet connection.

The aim has been to minimise the impact of this unprecedented crisis and ensure minimal disruption to the daily running of the business and it’s customers.

On March 13, a decision was taken by managing director Alex Nicholls , to ready SME Broker Services for any possible impact that COVID-19 might have on the business. This has required an agile response from the IT department.

Luke and Marcel joined the company in 2019 on a one-year, level 3 infrastructure technician apprenticeship, Jake joined in December 2019 on a business administration apprenticeship.

All three have effectively taken over the day-to-day running of the IT Department.

SME Broker Services offer bespoke brokering for large enterprises while enabling that same associated privilege of buying power to SME’s (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises), the company specialises in procurement across broad verticals as an umbrella service, brokering any and all commercial expenditure in addition to B2B outsourcing, offshoring and process development internationally.

Both Luke and Marcel have won ‘Employee of the month’ awards in June 2019 and January 2020 respectively.

From deploying Windows 10 over a network, integrating a new server from scratch to 243 data deliveries for the company.

They have been an indispensable part of the SME Broker team and are currently working with HoW on a Smart Router App development project.

SME Broker Services is working with HoW College and LMPQ to address the shortage of "work ready" young people in the workplace by participating in its apprenticeship scheme.