Apprentice IT Support Officer

Darlington College

Darlington (DL1 1DR)

Closes on Sunday 19 July 2026

Posted on 14 May 2026

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Summary

The IT Support Officer Apprentice provides first-line support across the College, assisting in the maintenance and operation of IT systems, infrastructure, and end-user devices, while supporting secure, reliable, high-performing services through installation, configuration, troubleshooting, and ongoing hardware and software maintenance.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Competitive rates paid, from £8 per hour, subject to age and experience

Training course
Information communications technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 5.00pm, Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm with day release for study at Darlington College

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 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

The successful candidate will:

  • Support the IT Team in delivering an efficient and effective IT service across the College.
  • Assist in the support, maintenance, and troubleshooting of desktop operating systems including Windows, iOS, and ChromeOS environments.
  • Assist in the management and support of college-owned devices, including desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
  • Develop working knowledge of enterprise IT systems, infrastructure, and cloud platforms (e.g. Microsoft 365, identity and access management, and cloud storage solutions).
  • Assist with the installation, configuration, and deployment of IT equipment and software.
  • Respond to support requests via service desk systems, email, and telephone, ensuring timely and accurate resolution or escalation.
  • Support the achievement of service level targets through effective task management and prioritisation.
  • Assist with diagnosing and resolving hardware faults, including arranging repair or replacement where required.
  • Maintain accurate records of incidents, service requests, and asset changes, ensuring all activities are documented appropriately.
  • Support asset management processes, including tagging, auditing, and tracking of IT equipment to ensure compliance and reduce risk.
  • Provide technical support for internal and external College events where required.
  • Adhere to all College policies, procedures, and quality assurance frameworks, including Health and Safety requirements.
  • Demonstrate a professional and customer-focused approach when supporting staff, students, and visitors.
  • Undertake any other duties commensurate with the level of the role as required by the IT Manager or senior leadership.
  • Ability to work collaboratively within a team environment.
  • Professional, approachable, and committed to maintaining high standards of service.
  • Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and vulnerable adult.

Where you'll work

Central Park
Haughton Road
Darlington
DL1 1DR

Training

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

Training provider

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

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

  • Level 3 Information Communication Technician 
  • Location - Darlington College, Central Park, Haughton Road, Darlington, DL1 1DR 
  • Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 5.00pm, Friday, 8.30am - 4.30pm with day release to college

More training information

This role forms part of a structured apprenticeship programme and is designed to support the development of practical IT skills aligned to industry standards.

The successful candidate will be supported in gaining relevant qualifications while contributing to the operational delivery of IT services within the College.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade A-C or 4 and 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
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Proactive
  • Reliable

Other requirements

  • Previous experience in an IT support or technical environment

  • Basic understanding of network infrastructure and IT systems

  • Experience supporting or maintaining end-user devices and applications

  • Please note that in line with UK apprenticeship regulations, you must have a valid and eligible residency status and the right to work in England. This should cover the entire expected term of learning and residency should be held for a minimum of 3 years, exceptions may apply please see Apprenticeship funding rules for full guidance

About this employer

Here at Darlington College, we provide a huge variety of courses to suit the ambitions of every single student. Whether you are leaving school, considering a return to education, looking to enhance your career development, an employer seeking training for your employees, or simply want to learn for fun – we have a course for you. Our college is a state-of-the-art facility which offers varied learning with inspirational teaching from a wealth of experienced tutors .

https://darlington.ac.uk/ (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

There may be an opportunity to secure a long term position after successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

DARLINGTON COLLEGE

Paul Clark

PClark@darlington.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000031706.

Apply now

Closes on Sunday 19 July 2026