IT Apprentice

OXFORD DIRECT SERVICES LIMITED

Oxford (OX4 2RH)

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 30 September 2026

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Summary

Looking for your first step into IT? Join ODS as a Digital Support Technician Apprentice and earn while you learn. You'll gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification, receive support from experienced mentors, and develop real-world skills in technical support, customer service and digital technologies.

Wage

£16,154 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Current salary: £16,154.
  • After successfully passing 6 months probation: £18,644.
  • After passing qualification: £22,116.
Training course
Information communications technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday Friday tends to be 8am- 4pm, will be flexible to meet needs of the business.

37 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 29 October 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

  • Provide 1st line IT support for issues and queries raised through the IT Service Desk
  • Support users by diagnosing and resolving IT, system and application problems
  • Follow support requests through to completion and keep users updated on progress
  • Contribute to and maintain the ICT knowledge base, including work instructions and guidance documents
  • Assist with the implementation of hardware, software and infrastructure projects
  • Work alongside experienced ICT professionals to develop technical skills and knowledge
  • Attend training, complete coursework and maintain apprenticeship learning records
  • Meet regularly with a mentor and take part in apprenticeship development activities
  • Learn about ODS services and contribute positively as part of the ICT team

Where you'll work

Horspath Road
Oxford
OX4 2RH

Training

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

Training provider

ABINGDON AND WITNEY 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

Delivery Model

  • Work-based training with your employer
  • Day release during term time (approximately 1 day a week for 1 year)
  • Regular meetings with your training coordinator to monitor progress and well-being
  • Approximately four on-site assessment visits per year
  • Apprentices will need to complete a minimum of 348 hours of off-the-job training during their apprenticeship

More training information

Please apply as soon as possible for this role. Should the right candidate be found prior to the closing date, then the vacancy may be closed early. 

Apprenticeship Onboarding Session and Eligibility Checks:  

Any new person applying for apprenticeship roles where Abingdon & Witney College deliver the training will be required to complete some eligibility checks. This will consist of a series of initial assessments and an interview with the team. There will be the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and for any questions you might have. You may also be required to attend an Apprenticeship Onboarding Session at Witney, Abingdon or Bicester campus.  

This will consist of a series of initial assessments (required prior to any apprenticeship offer), completion of essential paperwork, the opportunity to find out more about the apprenticeship process, the training included, and a forum for your questions.  

As a new Apprenticeship applicant, you will only have to undergo this process once. If you would like to talk to us about the assessments or if you would need any extra support to attend the Apprenticeship Assessment and Information Session, please call us on 01235 216216.     

 

Qualification checks: 

By applying for this vacancy, you are giving Abingdon and Witney College permission to undertake a Learner Record Service check on your previous qualifications. We make every effort to ensure that applicants from non-traditional academic backgrounds or those who may not have the formal GCSE entry requirements can access apprenticeships where possible.   

The National Minimum Wage (NMW) for Apprentices is £8.00 per hour from April 2026. This applies to 16 - 18 year old apprentices and those aged 19 and over during the first year of their apprenticeship. After this, the National Minimum wage appropriate to their age applies. The Wage for apprentices applies to both time spent on the job plus time spent training. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

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
  • Customer care skills
  • Team working
  • Enthusiasm
  • Willingness to learn & develop
  • Knowledge- Microsoft packages

Other requirements

We have 3 depots around oxford and you will need to be able to get to all of them. They are all on public transport routes:

  • Cowley Marsh Depot, Marsh Road, Oxford OX4 2HH
  • Horspath Road Depot , Unit 3 Horspath Road, Oxford OX4 2RS
  • Cutteslowe Part Depot , Elsfield Way, Oxford OX2 8ES

About this employer

At ODS, we take pride in our role in making Oxford a world-class city. From waste collection to maintaining roads and parks, our team works tirelessly to ensure the city remains vibrant and beautiful. It's tough work, but it's incredibly rewarding. Joining ODS means joining a team of dedicated professionals who care deeply about their work and their community. Our employees are the backbone of our success, and we value their commitment and passion.

https://www.odsgroup.co.uk/Careers (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 29 days holiday, increasing to 33 days, plus Bank Holidays, with opportunity to purchase more
  • Extensive family-friendly packages and childcare assistance
  • A secure and flexible pension scheme
  • Personal and professional counselling (available 24 hours a day)
  • Retail discounts
  • Heavily discounted gym memberships
  • Travel loans and travel discount schemes
  • Personal accident insuranceCycle to work scheme

After this apprenticeship

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

  • Progressing into the growing IT team

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

ABINGDON AND WITNEY COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056269.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Wednesday 14 October 2026 at 11:59pm)