Itec, the Essex technology training centre, celebrated its 30th anniversary this month.

Chief executive Wendy Vickers who was there on day one in 1984, said: “A lot of the people we trained 20 or 30 years ago are now running their own companies, in some cases employing our latest trainees.

“Two of our learners from the Eighties are now voluntary directors of the (non profit-making) company. Our trainees tend to show gratitude and loyalty.”

Itec trains between 350 and 500 young people a year, and has never had a problem filling places on its courses.

A core reason for its popularity, Wendy believes, is its close link to the workplace.

She says: “We’ve always been about matching young people to the jobs that are out there. We work closely with employers, and know what they are looking for.”

The IT field has changed beyond recognition during Itec’s 30 years, and continues to change, perhaps faster than any other industry. Wendy says Itec has always been adroit at changing in step with developments.

She says: “We’re very light on our feet. We adapt quickly. We can turn on a sixpence.”

When not teaching, staff tend, to be “glued to their screens”, constantly checking out the latest developments in IT.

Based in Basildon, Itec covers the whole of Essex, and since 2010 can claim to be the leading apprenticeship partner for small and medium companies in the county.

“We worked closely with Essex County Council to deliver our apprenticeship scheme,” says Wendy. “It’s enabled us to spread our wings across Essex.”

In 2011, Itec launched the Microsoft Partnership Apprenticeship, in liaison with the giant multinational. It is all a far cry from the first intake of students in February 1984.

Wendy says: “Back then we were teaching basic things like word processing and how to use spreadsheets. Nowadays it’s more about Microsoft engineering.”

She was 22 when Itec opened.

She says: “My particular interest was how the new developments in computing could be imported into office work, stuff we take for granted now.

“I would have been very surprised to know I would still be here, 30 years later. But a lot of our staff have been here for a long time – we attract a sense of commitment.”