An apprenticeship provides the opportunity to learn on the job, gain experience and get paid. By the end of an apprenticeship, you will have gained the skills and knowledge needed to progress in your chosen career. We are grateful to offer IT apprenticeships to those wanting to gain experience and qualifications in the industry. One of our newest apprentices, Dylan Mann, has answered a few questions about his time so far at CT and why he chose to become an apprentice.
What made you choose to partake in an apprenticeship?
Before going to University I actually wanted to do an apprenticeship, however the start times didn’t really align so I ending up going into Further Education. Once I’d achieved a foundation degree at University, I started to look for apprenticeships again as the real-world experience and the ability to learn whilst achieving this was more appealing than a purely educational environment. The added support that comes with an apprenticeship is also something people really seem to underestimate; I have the support system of not only my employer but also my apprenticeship provider.
What qualifications did you obtain before starting your apprenticeship?
Before joining CT I’d gone from GCSE to a Level 5 Foundation Degree in Computer Networking. Throughout this it seemed like a natural progression and just ended up going to a higher and higher level despite that not really being the initial plan.
Why did you choose to do a technology-based course?
I’d always found fiddling with electronics and technology appealing. From a fairly young age I’d been inside computers and laptops trying to fix them and it really appealed to me. In secondary school I had an IT teacher who made a conscious effort to try and make IT more fun for everyone and the way he did this persuaded me even more to take a GCSE in IT. From then on, everything just fell into place and I’ve never looked back.
Why did you opt for CT for your work placement?
When I initially saw the advert for CT I did some research and was impressed by the scope of their operation and how far the company had come since inception. I applied and fortunately got an interview. Upon arrival I was very much blown away by the building and the people inside it. I was made to feel very comfortable and even got to pet the office dog during my interview! When I was offered the role it was a no-brainer. I think I said yes before the sentence had even finished and was delighted to be embarking on a new adventure.
What do you enjoy about your role at CT?
There’s a lot to enjoy about my role! Every day I seem to learn something new and that’s something that appealed to me about the role in the first place. IT is similar to learning to drive, once you pass your test you only then really begin to learn to drive. You can look at models and theoretical scenarios but only once they’re occurring in front of your eyes then you really learn how to deal with them. Every day is usually something new and the environment is very open and welcoming for any queries or questions I or anyone else has, it’s like one big family.
What does your average day look like as a CT apprentice?
Most days include making new accounts for new starters of our customers, and I also process leavers from these companies as well. There are numerous other requests we get ranging from Server updates to Mailbox requests – it really does vary on a day-to-day basis. Occasionally I’ll have a week in which I’ll be in a virtual learning environment due to my apprenticeship with workshops scattered between these sessions. The way in which these sessions work mean I’ll have them every 6-7 weeks and allows me to apply everything I’ve learned once I return to the workplace.
If you’re interested in becoming an apprentice, please keep an eye out for our next opening on our vacancy page.
