IT Support Apprentice

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Oxfordshire (OX11 0QX)

Closes in 24 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

Posted on 5 January 2026

Print

Contents

Summary

Join us as an IT Support Apprentice based in RAL Space and build the skills to help maintain the IT systems that power world class scientific research and innovation. If you’re a problem solver, value customer service and are eager to learn and develop your digital skills, we’d love to hear from you.

Wage

£19,514 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Throughout the course of your apprenticeship you will receive annual increments in line with policy

Training course
Information communications technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 9am- 5pm

37 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 3 September 2026

Duration

2 years

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

  • Providing first-line support to users— in person, over the phone, and via email— helping staff resolve everyday IT issues
  • Getting involved in new and ongoing IT projects, giving you the chance to contribute and learn from real technical work
  • Using our ticketing system to investigate and troubleshoot software, hardware and networking problems
  • Installing and upgrading PCs and laptops as part of our hardware refresh and support activities
  • Assisting with onboarding new starters, helping them get set up and ready to work from day one
  • Offering general support across Windows, Mac, mobile devices and printers, giving you a broad foundation across multiple platforms

Where you'll work

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell
Didcot
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX

Training

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

Training provider

ESTIO TRAINING LIMITED

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

Training schedule

The course will be delivered via online teaching, remote 121 coaching and workplace development  

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 or above)
  • Maths (grade 4 or above)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Patience

About this employer

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

https://www.ukri.org/councils/stfc/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

30 days annual leave, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas Shutdown

Cycle to Work Scheme

Employee Discount Scheme

After this apprenticeship

  • Further career and training opportunities

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ESTIO TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005931.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Monday 2 February 2026)

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