Network/Field Engineer Apprentice (Next2IT)
NEXT2IT LTD
Stafford (ST18 0FZ)
Closes in 27 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 28 January 2026
Contents
Summary
We're looking for a hands-on apprentice to join our infrastructure team and learn the ropes of modern network engineering. You'll be out and about building and maintaining the physical and digital networks that businesses rely on - think less helpdesk tickets, more hard hats and cable testers.
- Wage
-
£16,000 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary: £16,000.00 - £24,785.00.
- Training course
- Network engineer (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday - 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Monday 9 March 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 6 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
We're looking for a hands-on apprentice to join our infrastructure team and learn the ropes of modern network engineering. You'll be out and about building and maintaining the physical and digital networks that businesses rely on - think less helpdesk tickets, more hard hats and cable testers.
This isn't just plugging things in and hoping for the best. You'll work alongside experienced engineers to design, install, and troubleshoot everything from cabling infrastructure to access control systems, learning how networks actually work from the ground up. One day you might be racking switches in a data cabinet, the next you're configuring VLANs or deploying Starlink for a remote site.
A company van is provided where applicable for employees with a driving license, or you'll be buddied up with one of our Field Engineers, enabling you to work across different sites and see how various businesses use technology in the real world.
- Structured cabling - Install and terminate network cabling to industry standards
- Network infrastructure - Build and configure data cabinets, implement network authentication, install new equipment
- Physical security systems - Deploy CCTV, access control, and wireless infrastructure
- Cloud and device management - Support modern endpoint deployments and cloud-based solutions
- Server and hardware deployment - Assist with server installations and equipment rollouts
Where you'll work
6 Marconi Gate
Staffordshire Technology Park
Stafford
ST18 0FZ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
FIREBRAND TRAINING LIMITED
Training course
Network engineer (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks.
- Install and configure network components.
- Implement tools and techniques to monitor, identify, analyse and record systems performance in line with defined specifications.
- Maintain security of the network against potential threats.
- Apply tools and or techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and or isolate, repair or escalate faults.
- Communicate outcomes of tasks and record actions in line with organisational procedures.
- Upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime.
- Interpret information and or specifications received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements.
- Implement techniques to optimise systems or component performance in line with defined specifications.
- Apply the required level of responsibility when organising and prioritising work tasks, clients’ or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organisation processes.
- Explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints.
- Operate securely, and apply process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities.
- Configure and maintain network addressing in line with customer requirements.
- Ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes including Secure Access Service Edge SASE or Zero-trust networking .
- Apply tools and techniques when securely operating and testing networks.
- Install and configure network components.
- Implement tools and techniques to monitor, identify, analyse and record systems performance in line with defined specifications.
- Maintain security of the network against potential threats.
- Apply tools and or techniques to gather information to troubleshoot issues and or isolate, repair or escalate faults.
- Communicate outcomes of tasks and record actions in line with organisational procedures.
- Upgrade, apply and test components to systems configurations ensuring that the system meets the organisation’s requirements and minimises downtime.
- Interpret information and or specifications received from a manager, customer or technical specialist and accurately implement the defined requirements.
- Implement techniques to optimise systems or component performance in line with defined specifications.
- Apply the required level of responsibility when organising and prioritising work tasks, clients’ or stakeholders’ requests in line with SLAs and organisation processes.
- Explain their job role within the business context to stakeholders to enable a clear understanding on both sides of what their remit is and convey technical constraints.
- Operate securely, and apply process, policies and legislation within their business responsibilities.
- Configure and maintain network addressing in line with customer requirements.
- Ensure compliance of network engineering outputs with change management processes including Secure Access Service Edge SASE or Zero-trust networking .
Training schedule
More training information
Firebrand’s sector-leading Level 4 Network Engineer (L4NE) Apprenticeship Programme develops apprentices to design, build, maintain and secure multi-vendor networks; additionally, apprentices will develop skills to allow identification and implementation of network performance improvements whilst maintaining network security.
Firebrands course is delivered either Online (online live instructor led), or face to face in the classroom environment (your choice). Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), Learning Mentors (LMs) and world-leading trainers prepare apprentices to work across multiple sectors.
Completion of this apprenticeship will provide learners with the following world class vendor certifications in addition to the Network Engineer apprenticeship:
- CompTIA Server+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
Key areas covered are:
- Detecting and resolving Network Failures
- Improving Network Performance
- Install and Manage Network Architecture
- Test and Analyse Network issues
- Planning and working effectively
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Written and spoken English
- Office 365/Microsoft 365
Other requirements
Essential:
- Some understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, VLANs, switching - even if it's just from home tinkering or coursework)
- Comfortable with hands-on work - terminating cables, drilling holes, working in ceiling voids
- Good written and spoken English, willingness to learn and ask questions when you don't know something
About this employer
About Next2IT
Next2IT is a leader in next-generation IT services with a distinct focus on digital transformation. Founded in 2020, our rapidly growing start-up aims to empower businesses to harness the power of advanced technology seamlessly. We offer opportunities for significant career advancement as we navigate this exciting growth phase.
After this apprenticeship
The opportunity may offer a permanent role upon completion of the apprenticeship depending on performance and availability.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
FIREBRAND TRAINING LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010647.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Friday 27 February 2026 at 11:59pm)