Sundown Solutions are a local technology consultancy, who are experts in helping blue chip clients to find digital solutions to large scale, technical problems. Their success and growth led to them being recognised recently with their third Red Rose Award in just four years – the Scale-up Award, meaning they could demonstrate at least a 20% increase in turnover scale-up in their latest financial year, while navigating the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Their growth in numbers from 4, to 42 developers and staff in recent times means they need a steady supply of local talent to fill their roles in all areas, from coding, software development, cyber security, cloud computing, and many other areas of work. This doesn’t mean people need to have a tech background to apply – full training in specialist areas of work is given, which means they can employ someone with a willingness to learn and perhaps an interest in coding or gaming, rather than someone fully qualified.
To find these people and to raise their profile as an employer in the local area, Sundown Solutions turned to the #AmazingAccrington business leaders group. The group was set up in 2016 to create a positive feeling for Hyndburn, improve outcomes for residents, link education to business requirements and support the success of businesses within the area, to build a sustainable future.
One of the regular activities Amazing Accrington provide is interaction between business and schools, to raise the aspirations of local school leavers and raise profiles of local employers and the career paths available with them. One such event was the Futures event they organised at Accrington Town Hall in October, where almost 1000 year 11s attended a full day event to see and interact with local employers including Studio Retail, Sundown Solutions, plus universities including the University of Oxford.
Other events include visits to school by the employers, to give an insight into their businesses and the work they do. Sundown Solutions have undertaken many such visits, highlighting the fact that high tech digital work is available as a career in Hyndburn, and that you don’t need a tech background to apply.
One such visit to St Christopher’s was so inspirational that they received two applications following the visit, and one successful applicant is now in the early stages of his career with Sundown.
Sundown Solutions’ chief executive officer, Heath Groves, said, “As a company, we wanted to raise our profile in the local area and we do need a stream of future employees to support our steady growth. The visits to schools and the Futures event have been particularly useful for us, and have had a direct positive benefit on our business.
I also fully support the message at the heart of Amazing Accrington, I am local myself and my children are at school here – locating my business here means I am also contributing to the success of Hyndburn. The business network Amazing Accrington has created brings so many benefits, and projects they’re working on such as the East Lancs Freight Rail Terminal will bring a great economic boost to the region.”
Sundown Solutions is a technology consultancy operating in the fields of digital transformation, software solutions, cyber security and Cloud computing. It counts the NHS, National Audit Office, Capita and Takeda Pharmaceuticals as just some of its blue-chip clients.
Sundown Solutions has partnered with Accrington-based training provider North Lancs Training Group (NLTG) to fill vacancies on Apprenticeships, Accrington and Rossendale College to fill vacancies on Degree Apprenticeships, and IN4 for vacancies in Vocational Training. They wish to ensure they recruit local people, who don’t need to have a technical background. They have open vacancies. If you have the drive and determination they are looking for, apply now via www.sundownsolutions.com
