IT Technician Apprentice

Riverside College Halton

Cheshire (WA8 7QQ)

Closes in 17 days (Sunday 2 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 15 July 2026

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Summary

An exciting new opportunity to provide effective technical support to all users of the college's network and systems, and to assist the Head of IT Security & Infrastructure and wider IT team in maintaining IT equipment and infrastructure across college sites. 

Wage

£15,434 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Information communications technician (level 3)
Hours
8.30am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 2pm Friday (30-minutes lunch break each day) 37-hours a week

37 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

This is an entry-level apprenticeship role designed to develop practical technical skills and knowledge in a real-world IT support environment, leading to a recognised Level 3 qualification.

Technical Duties:

  • Provide first-line technical support to staff, students, and other users, both in person and remotely
  • Assist with the maintenance, repair, and configuration of computers, laptops, and other IT equipment
  • Install, configure, and update software applications, operating systems, and security patches as directed
  • Carry out routine hardware and software housekeeping, including virus/malware checks, file recovery, and backup verification
  • Assist in troubleshooting connectivity, software, and hardware issues, escalating complex problems to senior team members
  • Support basic network infrastructure tasks, including configuration of switches, Wi-Fi access points, and printers under supervision
  • Follow the college's cybersecurity procedures, including safe handling of data, reporting suspicious activity or potential incidents to a senior team member, and supporting basic security housekeeping tasks such as account tidying and patch checks
  • Help prepare and maintain IT equipment and consumables, including for teaching and learning spaces
  • Maintain accurate inventory records, conduct stock checks, and manage device loan records
  • Handle data and equipment in accordance with the college's data protection and security policies
  • Assist in the deployment of devices using endpoint management tools (e.g. Intune/SCCM) under supervision
  • Contribute to maintaining documentation, including asset registers and support logs

College Responsibilities: 

  • Actively promote Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in all aspects of the role
  • Apply the college's safeguarding policies and practices at all times to ensure the safety of learners and vulnerable adults
  • Represent the IT department professionally and contribute positively to the student experience
  • Comply with all college policies and procedures, including health and safety and data protection
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Head of IT Security & Infrastructure or IT Team Leaders

Personal Development: 

  • Actively engage with and complete all elements of the apprenticeship programme, including off-the-job training and end-point assessment
  • Take responsibility for your own learning and development, seeking guidance from colleagues and mentors
  • Attend relevant training, team meetings, and staff development activities as required
  • Keep up to date with developments in IT and emerging technologies relevant to the role

Where you'll work

Kingsway
WIdnes
Cheshire
WA8 7QQ

Training

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

Training provider

RIVERSIDE 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

  • Information Communications Technician - Support Technician pathway Level 3
  • Fortnightly attendance at Riverside College, Widnes

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

4 GCSE's including Maths and English (grade Grades 9-4 (A-C))

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
  • Team working
  • Patience
  • Interest in troubleshooting
  • Professional approach
  • Helpful
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Written communication skills
  • Self motivated
  • Genuine enthusiasm for IT

Other requirements

The successful applicant will be required to complete an Enhanced DBS clearance prior to the start.  

A relevant Level 2 IT qualification or equivalent would be of interest, as well as information about personal projects or your interest in IT. 

Knowledge of Windows operating systems and Microsoft 365 applications, along with a basic understanding of computer hardware components and their function would be an advantage. Awareness of cybersecurity basics (e.g. phishing, password hygiene, malware) and a basic understanding of networking concepts (IP addressing, DHCP, DNS) or the willingness to learn these areas is also essential. You will also be expected to develop familiarity with IT support processes or service desk tools. 

Understanding and awareness of equality, diversity and safeguarding would be valued, as well as willingness to learn further within this area.

We reserve the right to close this opportunity after 1 week if we have received enough applications, and therefore recommend you make an application as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the planned closing date as we cannot guarantee the vacancy will remain open for the whole time planned. 

If you are applying with qualifications other than those listed in the entry requirements (GCSE's), please make sure you have obtained official evidence of equivalency from UK ENIC before the application closing date. Please note, if you are shortlisted for the post, we cannot progress your application any further without you providing evidence of this.   

At willingness to work flexible hours as required to support IT operations and the ability to travel between college sites as required will be required, alongside a commitment to completing all elements of the apprenticeship programme. 

About this employer

Riverside College is a further education college based over two sites in Widnes, Cheshire, England. This is a great opportunity to work in a College rated as 'Outstanding' by Ofsted.

After this apprenticeship

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

The apprentice will be able to apply for roles internally within the college.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

RIVERSIDE COLLEGE

Joanna Smith

joanna.smith@riversidecollege.ac.uk

01512572800

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042935.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Sunday 2 August 2026 at 11:59pm)