IT apprenticeships How to get started

IT apprenticeships How to get started by Michael Cheary If you’re passionate about tech, an IT apprenticeship could be for you…IT is a fast-paced, rapidly evolving and exciting industry that commonly rewards professionals with £100,000+ salaries and brilliant career opportunities. From professional hackers to application developers, there’s a wide variety of roles out there to choose from.And with the vast majority of businesses relying on IT to survive, technology professionals are in high demand â€" meaning there’s a giant skills gap in the UK. In fact, 75% of companies admit that they currently face a shortage of technology professionals.But many don’t realise that university isn’t the only route into IT. With an IT apprenticeship, you can achieve a rewarding career in IT faster by skipping years of studying (and hefty student debt). You’ll also hold over a year of on-the-job experience, massively valuable to any potential employers.We spoke to the experts at Firebrand Training to find out how t o get started…What is an IT apprenticeship?An IT apprenticeship is a real job in technology that provides you with training, industry-recognised qualifications and a salary.An apprenticeship is no more junior than a degree and apprenticeships can be taken on by anyone over 16 â€" meaning there’s no upper age limit to get started.Choosing the right level of apprenticeshipApprenticeship programmes are divided into different levels, and your existing qualifications will typically determine what level of IT apprenticeship you should aim to take on.The most popular and relevant for a career path into IT are Advanced Apprenticeships (Level 3) and Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4).Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeships Take on a Level 3 Apprenticeship and you’ll work full-time for an employer and get on-the-job training for a specific role within a technology company or IT team.Level 3 Apprenticeships include over 13 months of paid work experience.To apply for a Level 3 Apprenticeship youâ €™ll need at least five GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above, including Maths and English. Advanced apprenticeships also act as a prerequisite for the Level 4 (Higher Apprenticeships).Level 4 Higher Apprenticeships Once you have completed a Level 3 Apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Higher Apprenticeship.Like the Level 3 Apprenticeship, you’ll work full-time for an employer as you further specialise your skills through on-the-job experience, training and industry qualifications.Prerequisites for Level 4 Apprenticeships will depend on the employer, but will generally include two or more A-levels or completion of a relevant Level 3 Apprenticeship.Level 4 Apprenticeships typically last around 16 months, and the majority of apprentices have a permanent role waiting for them with their company at the end of the programme.Level 6 â€" Degree ApprenticeshipsDegree Apprenticeships (Level 6) are also available and are equivalent to a bachelor degree. However, the opti ons within IT are currently fairly limited.Types of apprenticeshipChoosing your IT apprenticeshipOnce you’ve decided what level of apprenticeship to pursue, it’s time to decide what programme you want to take on. IT is a massive industry covering a wide variety of roles and technologies.Whichever area of IT you’re interested in, there will be an apprenticeship programme available to give you a rewarding career.Software DevelopmentA Software Development Apprenticeship is ideal if you want to join a software development team and learn to build and test web, mobile or desktop applications.Apprentices can start by taking on the Level 3 Software Development Technician before further specialising their knowledge with the Level 4 Software Developer or Level 4 Software Tester programmes.An apprenticeship in software development is a brilliant foundation for a career in programming, application development, games development.IT SupportIT Support Apprentices become valuable assets, lear ning to provide technical IT support to their businesses.Support and infrastructure roles could see you working across multiple offices or taking control of computers remotely to quickly fix critical issues for your colleagues or clients.Networking and CloudApprentice Network Engineers are responsible for implementing support and developing the networks that allow businesses to share the data they need to operate.Networking apprenticeships are also a great way to learn more about cloud technology â€" where programs, services and platforms are stored online rather than on a computer hard drive.Data Analytics and Big DataProfessionals that can tap into the limitless power of data can expect a rewarding career in Big Data.The Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship will teach you how to support businesses by collecting, analysing and managing data to provide valuable insights. You’ll be using your mastery of analytics to speed up businesses and visualise data in ingenious ways.A Data Ana lytics apprenticeship could even lead to a career as a Data Scientist.Cyber SecurityYou’re more likely to be a victim of  cybercrime  than any other crime in the UK.For businesses, poor cyber security costs businesses millions of pounds when their networks, data or systems are breached by malicious hackers.However, cyber security is still a relatively young industry and a lack of security skills in the market has resulted in a massive demand for knowledgeable professionals.Breaking into this exciting industry is possible through a Cyber Security Apprenticeship, such as the Level 4 Cyber Security Intrusion Analyst or the Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist.These apprenticeships focus on giving you the skills needed to protect businesses by detecting breaches, monitoring networks and responding to hacks in progress.Sales and Digital MarketingIt goes without saying that businesses must sell their products in order to survive.To do this, they need technically-savvy employees who are a lso passionate salespeople. On an IT Technical Salesperson Apprenticeship, you’ll experience working with clients, winning new business and ultimately become an expert in your employee’s industry.Alternatively, if you’re interested in marketing, have a head for statistics and the creative flair to plan brilliant marketing campaigns, consider the Level 3 Digital Marketer Apprenticeship.On this apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to build and implement digital marketing campaigns across email, paid search, SEO and social media.After your apprenticeshipAfter you’ve completed your apprenticeship there’s a good chance your employer will keep you employed (or get you onto the next level of apprenticeship).Why? Well, you’ll have learnt to work within their industry, using their technologies and become an integral part of the team â€" so they’ll rarely let you go easily.But even if you don’t get kept on, the qualifications and experience you gain during your apprenticeship ar e of undeniable value when searching for your next job.You’ll have added real, quantifiable value to your CV, allowing your CV to easily stand out above the competition.Why choose an apprenticeship?Seven reasons you should start an apprenticeshipReady to get started? Find your perfect IT apprenticeship with Firebrand Training today. Firebrand Training  are one of the UK’s leading providers of IT Apprenticeships, offering opportunities in everything from Networking and Cyber Security, through to Big Data, Marketing and Sales.  Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the

Using The SSK Model to Be More Productive - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Using The SSK Model to Be More Productive - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career How do you know when a project is succeeding? What is your tool of choice  when  determining project status? Here is a really simple tool to help you think about any project  â€" whether it’s personal, for work, for community engagement, or anything else. It’s not heavily scientific and thats the beauty of it. It’s The SSK Model. Where SSK = Stop Start Keep Putting SSK to Work The SSK Model is a tool can that be used for personal and business decisions. Think about the last time you were considering a state or fate of a project. Imagine applying this very simple model of Stop, Start, Keep. What should you Stop doing? What should you Start doing? What should you Keep doing? Would using this model have made it possible to make decisions about the project faster and more objectively? Would you have been able to pull others into the decision process for a quick assessment? I’m guessing the answers to both of these question is the same. That’s the beauty of The SSK Model. It’s easy to ask the people working on the project â€" whether they are at the top, middle or bottom of the organization. You can get candid and hopefully unvarnished opinions. Based on the replies you may want to dig in deeper to understand the issues. But, there may be times that it becomes so obvious that no additional conversation is needed. This will be true for all three elements of The SSK Model. On a Personal Level Think about anything, anything at all, that you are doing. You can apply The SSK Model to it. Then  you can evaluate your gut feel responses against your bigger picture plans. If they are lining up and living up to your bigger picture plans Keep doing them. If you are missing something that should be added … Start doing it. And, if you find something isn’t aligning or providing the value you expected … Stop doing that. On a Professional Level Organizations can be a bit more challenging. You may find that you are working on things that you don’t personally align to, but they might be part of the job or project. You may also need to meet regulatory requirements which logically cannot be stopped (or at least shouldn’t be). However, there are always things that can be improved. Using The SSK Model can provide a quick thumbnail assessment from many people across the organization â€" including customers and partners â€" that are working on or otherwise involved in something. It’s a very easy set of questions to ask. And, as noted above some responses will be so obvious that no additional discussion is needed. Using The SSK Model Whether you are thinking about things for your own goals,  working with a mentor, or evaluating projects at work or within your community you can use The SSK Model to seek quick, thumbnail assessments that may lead to deeper conversations and more complex decision making processes. This is a good thing. Don’t let The SSK Model throw you off. Use it to build your skills and stand out in your career. For example, if a peer, mentor, manager, customer, or partner gives you feedback that you should Stop, Start or Keep doing something … Listen to them. Then, do you own SSK assessment to think about what they said, but do take their SSK thoughts into consideration. Start If someone suggests you Start doing something that scares you … use their suggestion and their confidence to push yourself. Stop If someone says you should Stop doing something … believe them. You may want to ask why, and you probably should … unless it’s so obvious there is no need to. But, if you do  ask why … be open to the conversation. Don’t be defensive. Listen objectively and decide for yourself. Keep If  someone says you should Keep doing something … Use that to think about next steps. Do you agree? If yes, Keep doing it. If no, think about what else could be a better use of your time and skills. The SSK Model is just a tool. It’s a quick way to think about a project or task that you are working on or otherwise involved. The SSK Model is also a great way to solicit feedback in a way that allows people to provide candid, objective guidance. Use the responses to make the project better. Use the responses  to grow your skills and improve your ability to objectively evaluate your own plans for your career. Also, use The SSK Model to take on a leadership role in something you are working on … even if you aren’t running the project The SSK Model  can be used as a tool by everyone involved to quickly provide feedback. What will you Stop, Start and Keep doing today?