Hardware and Networking

We offer the following apprenticeships in Digital:

• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Information Communications Technician 
• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technician
• Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Digital Support Technician
• Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Network Engineer
• Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technologist

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Information Communications Technician

Overview

Information Communications Technicians (ICT) play a vital role in keeping an organisation’s technology running smoothly. ICT apprentices support colleagues and customers with technical issues, help maintain IT systems and networks, and ensure devices and software operate effectively.

Typical job roles include:

• First/second line IT support technician
• Service desk analyst
• Technical support engineer. 

What skills and knowledge will an apprentice gain?
Throughout the programme, apprentices develop strong technical and customer service skills, including:

Technical skills

• Setting up, configuring and maintaining hardware, software and networks
• Troubleshooting common IT issues
• Supporting cloud services and modern workplace tools
• Understanding cyber security basics and secure working practices
• Managing user accounts, permissions and access control. 

Knowledge development

• How IT systems, networks and digital infrastructure operate
• Fundamental networking concepts
• Data protection, legislation and organisational policies
• Problem solving and diagnostic techniques
• Communication and professional behaviour in a technical environment. 

Professional skills

• Working effectively in a support role
• Managing tickets, priorities and customer expectations
• Documenting processes and solutions clearly. 

Duration

This apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months, including time for training, workplace development, and preparation for the end-point assessment (EPA).

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technician

Cyber Security Technicians play a key role in protecting an organisation's systems, data and digital infrastructure. Cyber Security Technician apprentices help monitor security tools, identify potential threats, support incident response activities, and ensure secure working practices across the business.

Typical job roles include:

• Cyber security technician
• Security Operations Centre (SOC) analyst - junior
• Information security administrator
• Cyber defence support technician
• Security support analyst. 

What skills and knowledge will an apprentice gain?

Technical skills

• Monitoring networks, systems and security tools for unusual activity
• Supporting incident detection, investigation and escalation
• Applying security controls such as firewalls, access policies and patching
• Handling basic malware, phishing and vulnerability issues
• Implementing secure configurations on devices and systems. 

Knowledge development

• Core cyber security principles and threat types
• How networks, operating systems and cloud environments are secured
• Risk management and security incident processes
• Legislation and frameworks such as GDPR, NCSC best practice and organisational policies
• Secure working practices, including identity and access management. 

Professional skills

• Analytical thinking and structured problem solving
• Effective communication with technical and non-technical users
• Maintaining accurate logs, documentation and evidence
• Working responsibly with sensitive or confidential information.

Duration

This apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months, including structured training, workplace development, and preparation for the end-point assessment (EPA).

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Digital Support Technician

Overview

Digital Support Technicians help organisations get the most out of their digital systems and processes. Digital Support Technician apprentices provide day-to-day assistance with business software, digital tools, data handling, and workflow solutions.
They support colleagues, implement digital improvements, and help ensure technology is used effectively across the organisation.

Typical job roles include:

• Digital support technician
• Digital service technician
• Digital applications specialist
• IT support officer
• Operations support technician. 

What skills and knowledge will an apprentice gain?

Technical skills

• Supporting users with business applications, software tools and digital platforms
• Maintaining and updating digital systems
• Troubleshooting common software and workflow issues
• Assisting with data management, reporting and digital records
• Using digital solutions to improve efficiency and productivity. 

Knowledge development

• How digital systems, software and cloud services operate
• Core IT fundamentals including data handling, security and digital best practice
• Change management and how digital improvements are implemented
• Understanding user needs, digital accessibility and service delivery processes
• Organisational policies, data protection and secure working practices. 

Professional skills

• Effective communication with colleagues, clients and stakeholders
• Managing priorities, tasks and digital service tickets
• Analysing digital workflows and suggesting improvements
• Working collaboratively in a professional environment
• Documenting processes, instructions and support guides.

Duration

This apprenticeship typically lasts 18 months, combining structured learning, practical workplace development, and preparation for the end-point assessment (EPA).

Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Network Engineer

Overview 

Network engineers are responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and supporting an organisation’s network infrastructure. Network Engineer apprentices work with routers, switches, firewalls, cloud networking and connectivity solutions to ensure systems remain reliable, secure, and high performing.

Typical job roles include:

• Network engineer
• Network technician
• Network support engineer
• Infrastructure technician
• Network administrator.

What skills and knowledge will an apprentice gain?

Technical skills

• Configuring and maintaining network devices
• Installing and supporting routers, switches and firewalls
• Monitoring network performance and diagnosing faults
• Implementing secure network configurations and security measures
• Supporting hybrid and cloud-based networking environments
• Working with wireless networks, VLANs, VPNs, routing and switching protocols.

Knowledge development

• Network architectures, protocols and topologies
• IP addressing, subnetting and network design principles
• Cyber security fundamentals for network environments
• Network monitoring, diagnostics and troubleshooting methods
• Industry standards, service management frameworks and organisational policies. 

Professional skills

• Communicating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Documenting configurations, changes and procedures clearly
• Managing workloads, service requests and priorites
• Applying analytical thinking and structured problem-solving
• Collaborating within IT, engineering and operating teams.

Duration

The apprenticeship typically lasts 18–24 months, combining structured technical training, workplace experience, and preparation for the end-point assessment (EPA).

Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technologist

Overview

Cyber Security Technologists play a critical role in protecting an organisation’s digital systems, data and infrastructure. Cyber Security Technologist apprentices help identify and analyse potential threats, support incident response activities, and implement security measures that help safeguard the business.

Typical job roles include:

• Cyber security technologist
• Security analyst
• Threat analyst
• Information security technician
• Security operations centre (SOC) analyst - levels 1/2.

What skills and knowledge will an apprentice gain?

Technical skills

• Monitoring networks and systems for suspicious or malicious activity
• Supporting cyber incident detection, analysis and escalation
• Applying security controls such as firewalls, access policies, endpoint protection and encryption
• Performing vulnerability scanning and assisting with remediation
• Implementing secure configurations across systems, applications and cloud environments
• Supporting threat intelligence gathering and log analysis.

Knowledge development

• Core cyber security principles, attack methods and defensive techniques
• Security architecture, secure design and protection of networks, systems and data
• Risk assessment, threat modelling and incident management processes
• Legislation, compliance frameworks and standards such as GDPR, ISO 27001 and NCSC guidance
• Identity and access management, secure authentication and least-privilege models
• Secure working practices, digital forensics basics and organisational security policies. 

Professional skills

• Communicating technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Documenting findings, incidents and security reports accurately
• Managing priorities in a fast-moving security environment
• Analytical thinking and structured problem solving
• Working responsibly with sensitive, confidential or high-risk information
• Collaborating effectively within security, IT and operational teams.

Many apprentices continue their development through higher-level apprenticeships or certifications including Microsoft certifications and CompTIA pathways, in roles such as network engineer and cyber security technician.

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Information Communications Technician

After completing the ICT apprenticeship, learners can progress into roles such as:

• IT technician
• Network or systems technician
• Service desk specialist
• Junior network engineer.

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technician

After completing the Level 3 Cyber Security Technician apprenticeship, learners can progress into roles such as:

• SOC analyst
• Cyber security analyst
• Information security officer
• Network security technician. 

Many apprentices continue their development with higher-level pathways such as the Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist apprenticeship, or industry certifications like CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Security and Cisco CyberOps.

Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship - Digital Support Technician

After completing the Level 3 Digital Support Technician apprenticeship, learners can progress into roles such as:

• Digital support specialist
• IT support technician
• Systems assistant
• Data support technician
• Business systems coordinator.

Further progression may include Level 4 pathways such as Digital Support Professional, Data Analyst, Software Tester, or industry certifications across Microsoft 365, cloud services, data or digital transformation.

Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Network Engineer

After completing the Level 4 Network Engineer apprenticeship, learners can move into roles such as:

• Network engineer
• Network operations centre (NOC) engineer
• Systems engineer
• Network security technician
• Infrastructure engineer. 

Further progression may include higher-level apprenticeships, advanced vendor certifications such as Cisco CCNA/CCNP, CompTIA Network+/Security+, or specialist routes in cloud networking or cyber security.

Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship - Cyber Security Technologist

After completing the Level 4 Cyber Security Technologist apprenticeship, learners can progress into roles such as:

• Cyber security analyst
• SOC analyst
• Information security officer
• Vulnerability analyst
• Cyber defence technician. 

Learners may also advance into specialist pathways or higher-level roles, supported by industry certifications such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA+, Cisco CyberOps and Microsoft Security. or progress to degree-level cyber security qualifications.