Application Support Lead Apprentice – STADA Thornton & Ross – Reading, RG2 6GP – £19,500p/a – 38hrsw

THORNTON & ROSS LIMITED

Reading (RG2 6GP)

Closes in 24 days (Thursday 3 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 10 August 2026

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Summary

You will be the first point of contact for IT support across UK GIS and STADA, while also contributing to digital transformation initiatives that improve how the business operates, including supporting the rollout of cloud platforms, assisting with workflow automation, and helping to deliver a modern, digital workplace experience for all.

Wage

£19,500 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Applications support lead (level 4)
Hours
Monday - Friday, shifts to be confirmed.

38 hours a week

Start date

Sunday 20 September 2026

Duration

1 year 9 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

  • Act as the first point of contact for all UK IT support requests, ensuring every call is logged and resolved in line with agreed SLAs.
  • Provide day to day technical support to end users on all UK GIS and STADA GIS systems, both remotely and face to face.
  • Deliver a high standard of customer care to all colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
  • Follow established Incident, Service Request, and Change Management processes.
  • Escalate recurring problems and emerging trends to Senior Support Engineers and management.
  • Manage own workload through effective prioritisation and time management, assigning and progressing incidents appropriately.
  • Maintain accurate Software and Hardware Asset Management records.
  • Order consumable items and monitor stock levels to ensure business continuity.
  • Assist in Service Acceptance and Transition activities for new technologies.
  • Comply with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, corporate policies, and regulatory requirements.
  • Support the rollout and adoption of cloud-based platforms, including Microsoft 365 and Azure services, helping colleagues get the most from modern tools.
  • Assist in designing and implementing digital workflows using tools such as Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.
  • Contribute to projects that digitise and automate existing business processes, documenting outcomes and lessons learned.
  • Help colleagues adopt new digital tools through guidance, informal training, and the creation of clear, user-friendly documentation.
  • Support data collection, reporting, and analytics activities — for example using Power BI or Excel — to enable evidence-based decision-making.
  • Participate in IT modernisation and infrastructure upgrade projects as part of cross-functional project teams.
  • Contribute to cybersecurity awareness across the organisation, helping colleagues follow best-practice digital hygiene and information security policies.
  • Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in IT processes and propose solutions aligned with the organisation's digital strategy.

The successful candidate will have:

  • A keen interest in IT, technology, and digital innovation — with a desire to understand not just how systems work, but how technology can transform how organisations operate.
  • Basic understanding of computer systems, networks, and cloud-based platforms.
  • Awareness of Microsoft 365 and modern workplace technologies (e.g. Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive).
  • Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical colleagues.
  • A proactive and positive attitude — willing to learn, adapt, and take initiative.
  • Relevant educational background in IT, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred but not essential.

Required

  • Basic understanding of computer systems and networks.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook).
  • Customer service orientation and professional communication.
  • Workload prioritisation and time management.
  • Enthusiasm for digital technology and a growth mindset.
  • Commitment to organisational values.

Desirable

  • Relevant qualification or educational background in IT or a related field.
  • Experience or certification in IT support or related areas.
  • Awareness of cloud platforms.
  • Exposure to process automation tools.
  • Basic understanding of data and reporting tools.
  • Experience supporting digital adoption or technology change initiatives.

Where you'll work

100 Longwater Avenue
Reading
RG2 6GP

Training

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

Training provider

TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED

Training course

Applications support lead (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation, including principles of Privacy by Design
  • implement the stages of the application lifecycle ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach at every stage
  • assess the impact on user experience and domain context on the data analysis activity
  • communicate verbally and non-verbally to a range of internal and external stakeholders using a range of technical and non-technical language to provide an effective interface between internal or external users and suppliers
  • take a ‘customer focused’ approach to service delivery, underpinned by active listening
  • adapt to changing contexts within the scope of a project and continually review project output to ensure alignment with customer and organisational needs for example within a DevOps environment
  • collate and interpret data and convert into useable formats such as infographics, reports, tables, dashboards or graphs
  • select and apply the most appropriate data tools to deliver application support outcomes
  • use manual or automated test tools
  • adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative) including maintenance of clear supporting documentation
  • apply specific industry standards where appropriate (for example GDPR, health informatics and safety critical) related to software testing
  • use formal and informal techniques that will demonstrate software and systems are fit for purpose
  • use relevant training methods to support internal and external stakeholders with core software applications and hardware ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach
  • communicate applications support information by ensuring continuity of user understanding through use of training notes, user guides and other collateral sources
  • use data systems securely to meet requirements and in line with organisational procedures and legislation, including principles of Privacy by Design
  • implement the stages of the application lifecycle ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach at every stage
  • assess the impact on user experience and domain context on the data analysis activity
  • communicate verbally and non-verbally to a range of internal and external stakeholders using a range of technical and non-technical language to provide an effective interface between internal or external users and suppliers
  • take a ‘customer focused’ approach to service delivery, underpinned by active listening
  • adapt to changing contexts within the scope of a project and continually review project output to ensure alignment with customer and organisational needs for example within a DevOps environment
  • collate and interpret data and convert into useable formats such as infographics, reports, tables, dashboards or graphs
  • select and apply the most appropriate data tools to deliver application support outcomes
  • use manual or automated test tools
  • adapt and apply testing activities according to industry standard development methodologies (sequential and iterative) including maintenance of clear supporting documentation
  • apply specific industry standards where appropriate (for example GDPR, health informatics and safety critical) related to software testing
  • use formal and informal techniques that will demonstrate software and systems are fit for purpose
  • use relevant training methods to support internal and external stakeholders with core software applications and hardware ensuring that principles of usability and accessibility are embedded in the approach
  • communicate applications support information by ensuring continuity of user understanding through use of training notes, user guides and other collateral sources

Training schedule

During this apprenticeship, you will follow a fully supported training programme with LearnTech, delivered through combined weekly remote classroom-based training, workplace assessment/training and online learning working towards completing the Application Support Lead standard.

The training covers the following core occupational duties: https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0949-v1-0

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C)
  • Maths (grade 4/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
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

Other requirements

It is a requirement to have five GCSE 9-4 grades or equivalent (including English and Maths) to apply for this type of apprenticeship. If you do not have these grades but have completed numeracy and literacy Key Skills/Functional Skills at level two you may also apply for these apprenticeships.

Eligibility

You must meet the following eligibility criteria to apply for the role:

  • Have been a UK/EEA resident for the last 3 years
  • Hold valid residency status
  • Have the right to work in the UK

About this employer

STADA is a leading manufacturer of high-quality pharmaceuticals. With a long-standing heritage rooted in pharmacies, we have been perceived as a reliable and trustworthy partner for over 130 years. Our products help people protect and regain a dignified and able life. With our proven Generics, we ensure that everyday health remains affordable. We offer our employees an attractive working environment in which they can develop personally.

STADA focuses on a three-pillar strategy consisting of consumer healthcare products, generics, specialty pharmaceuticals. Worldwide, STADA Arzneimittel AG sells its products in over 100 countries. Consumer healthcare brands such as Nizoral®, Zoflora®, Grippostad®, SNUP®, Silomat® and Hirudoid® are among the top sellers in their respective product categories. In financial year 2025, STADA achieved adjusted group revenues of EUR 4.3 billion and adjusted constant-currency earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (adj. cc EBITDA) of EUR 961 million. As of 31 December 2025, STADA employed 11,749 people worldwide.

https://www.thorntonross.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

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

Upon completion, the apprentice will have gained the Level 4 Application Support Lead qualification.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TECHNICAL PROFESSIONALS LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000047155.

Apply now

Closes in 24 days (Thursday 3 September 2026 at 11:59pm)