Digital Support Technician Apprentice

SOTECH LTD

COUNTY DURHAM (SR8 2RU)

Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026

Posted on 12 January 2026

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Summary

Are you fascinated by data and how it drives better decisions? At Sotech, we’re on a digital journey, connecting precision manufacturing with real-time insights. Using Microsoft 365, Business Central, Power BI, and Power Automate, we’re hiring a Junior Data & Systems Analyst (Apprentice) to turn data into smarter decisions.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Digital support technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Thursday, 7.00am - 4.00pm and Friday, 7.00am - 11.00am

38 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 26 March 2026

Duration

1 year 3 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

  • Collect, clean, and manage business data from core systems such as Microsoft Business Central, SharePoint, and production databases
  • Design and build dashboards in Power BI to track business performance - from production throughput and waste reduction to customer project timelines and on-time delivery
  • Develop automated reporting tools using Power Automate to replace manual spreadsheets and ensure live data is always available
  • Analyse patterns and trends in sales, estimating, engineering, and operations to highlight opportunities for efficiency and improvement
  • Support the creation of a central data model that links multiple systems, helping Sotech build a “single source of truth” for reporting
  • Assist with data governance, ensuring information is accurate, standardised, and secure across the company
  • Collaborate with teams to understand what insights they need - translating questions into meaningful visual analytics
  • Use Power Query and Excel to transform raw data into structured, actionable information
  • Support business planning by contributing data for forecasting, KPIs, and performance analysis
  • Document data processes and insight frameworks for future scalability

Systems & IT Support (25%)

  • Provide first-line support for IT queries related to data access, reporting tools, or system logins
  • Help maintain user accounts, devices, and permissions within the Microsoft 365 environment
  • Support SharePoint administration, ensuring data storage and sharing follow best practice
  • Work with external IT partners on integrations or troubleshooting when data systems overlap
  • Keep up to date with new features across Microsoft 365, Power Platform, and Business Central that can enhance reporting

Where you'll work

UNIT 2
WHITEHOUSE BUSINESS PARK
PETERLEE
COUNTY DURHAM
SR8 2RU

Training

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

Training provider

MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE

Training course

Digital support technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • use digital technologies, including collaborative tools, to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice.
  • use data accurately and securely to meet business requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation.
  • apply information security principles, for example: information transfer, deletion, storage, usage and communications that may include using mobile devices.
  • provide an appropriate and effective response to enquiries, providing support and information utilising digital channels and in line with organisation protocols
  • operate digital information systems, for example• Management- Finance Human Resources• Bespoke departmental or organisational systems or databases
  • communicate effectively through a variety of different channels using terminology appropriate to the audience
  • use digital resources to extend own knowledge and skills relevant to their role
  • risk assess the organisational impact of decisions that they take
  • use digital systems to identify productivity and performance improvements
  • use digital technologies to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice
  • maintain system security in line with organisational policies.
  • support digital operations or digital change and transformation activities.
  • investigate application problems and enable resolution to maintain productivity and improve quality of service.
  • coach and guide stakeholders to develop their applications skills to use digital systems effectively.
  • monitor data to analyse systems use and provide insights to recommend use or applications developments.
  • support customers in the use of information, products and services through digital channels.
  • diagnoses technical problems by identifying and applying tools and techniques to undertake fault finding, recording and rectification.
  • maintain end-user systems physically or remotely. For example: software, hardware or operating systems
  • provide and direct end-users to tools and resources to help them to resolve their digital problems.
  • use digital technologies, including collaborative tools, to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice.
  • use data accurately and securely to meet business requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation.
  • apply information security principles, for example: information transfer, deletion, storage, usage and communications that may include using mobile devices.
  • provide an appropriate and effective response to enquiries, providing support and information utilising digital channels and in line with organisation protocols
  • operate digital information systems, for example• Management- Finance Human Resources• Bespoke departmental or organisational systems or databases
  • communicate effectively through a variety of different channels using terminology appropriate to the audience
  • use digital resources to extend own knowledge and skills relevant to their role
  • risk assess the organisational impact of decisions that they take
  • use digital systems to identify productivity and performance improvements
  • use digital technologies to operate effectively as part of a team, and with other stakeholders, enabling sharing of information and best practice
  • maintain system security in line with organisational policies.

Training schedule

Day release once a week (online learning) 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade Grade 4)

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
  • Organisation skills
  • Number skills
  • Team working

About this employer

At Sotech, we’re on an ambitious digital journey — combining precision manufacturing with real-time data and analytics. From our advanced machinery and production systems to our digital backbone built on Microsoft 365, Business Central, Power BI, and Power Automate, every part of the business is becoming more connected, measurable, and insight-driven.

https://sotech-optima.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Depending on the circumstances of the business upon completion of the apprenticeship programme there could be a potential position of employment available

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MIDDLESBROUGH COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000008200.

Apply now

Closes on Thursday 12 March 2026