IT Support Apprentice

Summary

The IT Support Apprentice will work as part of the international IT Team, supporting the delivery of IT services across the wider Observatory. You will assist the IT Team in providing day-to-day support, helping to resolve hardware, software, and user issues under supervision, while developing their technical skills and knowledge.

Wage

£23,244 a year

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Training course

Information communications technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Thursday 11 September 2025

Duration

1 year 4 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Maintain an excellent IT service with positive reviews from internal and external service users.
Continual Service Improvement (CSI) of the support service.
Key performance indicators showing a reduction in avoidable incidents and support requests and an increase in support documentation.
Support resources allocated effectively and efficiently to best deliver a timely support service no matter the location.
Project intake of automation tasks evidenced, removing or reducing manual effort in repetitive and routine activities.
Ensure value for money in procurement, on-time project delivery, and identified efficiencies and savings.
Creating documentation, knowledge-sharing articles, and ensuring asset record accuracy to support the wider observatory.
Assist in monitoring the IT helpdesk and responding to support requests.
Support the installation, configuration, and basic troubleshooting of computer hardware and software.
Help maintain user accounts, patching schedules, and routine system administration tasks.
Learn and assist with identifying knowledge-sharing opportunities and updating IT documentation.
Provide support for meeting room systems and assist in setting up physical, hybrid, and virtual meetings.
Assist with IT hardware and software procurement activities.
Help maintain accurate asset records and software inventories.

Where you'll work

Jodrell Bank Observatory Lower Withington
Macclesfield
Cheshire
SK11 9DL

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

NOWSKILLS LIMITED

Your training course

Information communications technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy
Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification
apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments
Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders
Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources
Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate
Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely
Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements
Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements
Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task
Identify and scope the best solution informed by the system data associated with the task
Test and evaluate the system's performance and compliance with customer requirements.
Escalate non routine problems in line with procedures
Use basic scripting to execute the relevant tasks for example PowerShell, Linux
Carry out routine maintenance across systems, (such as IT, Communications), ensuring organisational compliance at all times
Apply the necessary security, in line with access and/or encryption requirements
Use a range of Cabling or Connectors equipment in line with technical requirements for example physically or remotely
Test and evaluate network environments
Monitor performance and usage of a network
Deploy applications on a network
Set up storage and data access for staff
Apply necessary security measures, in line with access requirements to a network
Carry out routine maintenance across network systems, ensuring organisational compliance
Monitor network-related workloads including DNS and firewalls
Install or undertake basic upgrades, either physically or remotely
Establish digital communication or telecommunications systems through, for example cabling and connecting equipment.
Identify a range of tools and or diagnostic equipment, for example, Hardware or Software components, to resolve Communications or Telecommunications requirements.
Undertake basic telecommunications activities, in response to an allocated task, designated responsibilities, instructions or customer’s requirements.
Use information necessary to identify operational issues and rectify or escalate accordingly in line with policy
Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy
Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification
apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments
Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders
Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources
Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate
Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely
Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements
Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements
Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task

Your training plan

This training plan has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

More training information

Training takes place with NowSkills, as the official apprenticeship training provider.

Requirements

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Problem solving skills
Team working
An interest in IT and tech
written/ verbal communication
Ability to follow instructions
Personal integrity

Other requirements

Desired (but not essential) • Some familiarity with Microsoft or Apple computing devices. • Basic awareness of cloud-based tools (e.g., Dropbox, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace). • Interest in networks, security, or system administration. • Awareness of IT Service Management (ITSM) concepts, such as ITIL.

About this company

Building the two largest telescope arrays in the world, located in South Africa and Australia, made possible through a global collaboration.

https://www.skao.int/en (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

30 days annual leave + 8 UK bank holidays Pension contributions as detailed below you contribute 0% of pay SKA pension contribute 12% you contribute 4% of pay SKA pension contribute 14% you contribute 8% of pay SKA pension contribute 16%

After this apprenticeship

Opportunities for career advancement upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

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