IT solutions (Level 3) Apprenticeship - UCB

Cogent Ssc Limited

Slough (SL1 3WE)

Closes in 12 days (Monday 24 August 2026)

Posted on 11 August 2026


Summary

As an IT Lab Support Engineer within DTPS, you will play a key role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and compliance of laboratory IT systems. You will work at the intersection of technology and science, supporting lab operations by maintaining critical applications, infrastructure, and equipment connectivity. 

Training course
IT solutions technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm (including one hour unpaid lunch). 10.00am - 3.30pm core hours, with remaining hours made up around these times.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

2

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

Acquired skills at the end of the apprenticeship:

  • Ability to support a pharmaceutical company’s lab environment
  • Support a company relocation (Slough to Windlesham)
  • Building relationship / trust with key stakeholders
  • Windows lifecycle management (upgrade OS and associated software)
  • Hardware lifecycle management (replace hardware and migrate data)
  • Work with instrument vendors and onboard new vendor supplied PCs
  • Build PCs and VM clients using UCB’s image deployment system
  • Maintain accurate records of lab assets within the Lab Inventory system
  • Write LDAP queries to find Active Directory membership (Users and Computers)
  • Run PowerShell queries and create reports with the output
  • Create reports in Excel using formulas (e.g. VLOOKUP)
  • Manage PCs in CommVault (backup and restore)
  • Use Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
  • Deploy software via Microsoft Configuration Manager (SCCM)
  • Assess patch level of PC and manually apply correct Windows cumulative updates

Install and configure enterprise applications such as:

  • Unicorn
  • Empower
  • Biacore
  • ForeCyt
  • Configure and manage VMware Horizon pools
  • Manage VM clients via vSphere
  • Perform network patching
  • Competent in the use of RACS (Remote Access, Control and Support)
  • Install / replace computer hardware (e.g. hard drives, graphics cards etc.)
  • Clone hard drives and recover data
  • Basic understanding of relational databases (schema design)
  • Use IT Tools such as Active Directory tools and ITSM (IT helpdesk tickets / requests)
  • Basic understanding of network segmentation and VLANs
  • Perform network performance testing via script and monitoring tools
  • Issue troubleshooting
  • Configuring CCTV systems
  • Basic understanding of lab robotics and automation
  • IT support requests and process workflows

Where you'll work

208 Bath Rd
Slough
SL1 3WE

Training

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

Training provider

TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED

Training course

IT solutions technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Work at any stage of the solution lifecycle.
  • Interpret client requirements.
  • Prioritise tasks to work within agreed project plans.
  • Ensure resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
  • Design solutions to meet client and business requirements.
  • Identify technical solutions using creative and critical thinking.
  • Install hardware or software, either physically or virtually.
  • Search and use different types of data or information sources.
  • Test and evaluate performance, functionality, and usability of solutions to ensure compliance with customer and project requirements.
  • Deploy and implement solutions, supporting change management practices.
  • Create and maintain documentation in accordance with best practice and organisational requirements.
  • Support multiple contemporary or legacy solutions to required levels of service.
  • Apply organisational policies and legislation in relation to security requirements, privacy, and confidentiality.
  • Communicate using a variety of tools and approaches, adapting language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Apply continuous professional development CPD to support their own learning, business needs and technical developments.
  • Work at any stage of the solution lifecycle.
  • Interpret client requirements.
  • Prioritise tasks to work within agreed project plans.
  • Ensure resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
  • Design solutions to meet client and business requirements.
  • Identify technical solutions using creative and critical thinking.
  • Install hardware or software, either physically or virtually.
  • Search and use different types of data or information sources.
  • Test and evaluate performance, functionality, and usability of solutions to ensure compliance with customer and project requirements.
  • Deploy and implement solutions, supporting change management practices.
  • Create and maintain documentation in accordance with best practice and organisational requirements.
  • Support multiple contemporary or legacy solutions to required levels of service.
  • Apply organisational policies and legislation in relation to security requirements, privacy, and confidentiality.
  • Communicate using a variety of tools and approaches, adapting language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Apply continuous professional development CPD to support their own learning, business needs and technical developments.

Training schedule

IT Solutions Technician Level 3.

Training for this apprenticeship will be completed online.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Min 5 inc. Maths English Science (grade 4/C or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

About this employer

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.

https://cogentskills.com/vacancies/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will be eligible to apply for other positions within the business. The training will expose the apprentice to a wide range of skills and competencies which would make them well placed for further study or suitable for many job opportunities in the life sciences sector.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Cogent Ssc Limited

Tom Bretherton

thomas.bretherton@cogentskills.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047621.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 24 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.