Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship
Your future career, after completion
Your future career, after your Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship
We are no longer accepting applications for the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship. This has been superseded by our brand new Information Communications Technician Level 3 apprenticeship. Click here to see our new course >>
Infrastructure Technician | Quick links
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Who should apply for the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship?
Becoming an Infrastructure Technician apprentice is ideal for anyone who enjoys working with networking, PCs, hardware and configuring computer operating systems. If you like fixing or building computers, problem-solving, and understanding technical problems then the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship could be for you. The roles you might expect to be applying for after your 12-15 month Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship are: Help Desk Technician, First or Second Line Support, IT Infrastructure Technician, Network Support and many others.
What's the cost of an Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship & will I be paid?
As an Infrastructure Technician apprentice, you will NOT pay anything towards your apprenticeship.
You can find out more about your investment and wages here >>
Entry requirements to become an Infrastructure Technician apprentice
Individual employers will set the selection criteria. It is likely to include:
- Grades A*-C (9-4 equivalent) in English and mathematics
- a science or technology qualification is desirable but not essential
- or a relevant Level 2 Apprenticeship
- A qualification or part-qualification in a related area at a lower or the same level would be advantageous, but not required
Having a passion for IT will help Infrastructure Technician apprentices gain the most out of their apprenticeship programme.
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What technical knowledge will I learn as an Infrastructure Technician apprentice?
- Communication: You will work independently and as part of a team. You will follow the organisations’ standards and demonstrate an ability to communicate both in writing and orally at all levels, using a range of tools. The role will develop interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with colleagues, customers, and clients during all tasks.
- IT Security: demonstrate the necessary skills and behaviours to securely operate across all platforms and areas of responsibilities in line with organisational guidance legislation
- Remote Infrastructure: effectively operate a range of mobile devices and securely add them to a network in accordance with organisations policies and procedures.
- Data: effectively record, analyse and communicate data at the appropriate level, using the organisation’s standard tools and processes.
- Problem-solving: apply structured techniques to common and non-routine problems, testing methodologies and troubleshooting. You will select the appropriate digital tools and techniques, in line with organisation guidance and will obtain the relevant logistical support as required.
- Workflow management: work flexibly and demonstrate the ability to work under pressure. You will be able to progress allocated tasks in accordance with the organisation’s reporting and quality systems
- Health and Safety: interpret and follow IT legislation to maintain security, professionalism and productivity in the workplace.
- Performance: optimise the performance of hardware, software and Network Systems and services in line with business requirements. You will explain the correct processes associated with WEEE (the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.
What qualifications will I gain?
- Level 3 Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship, awarded by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
- MTA Networking Fundamentals
- CIW Internet Business Associate
- MTA Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
- City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Coding and Logic
What skills will I develop?
- Logical and creative thinking skills
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and to take responsibility
- Using own initiative
- Taking a thorough and organised approach
- Ability to work with a range of internal and external people
- Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations
- Maintaining a productive, professional, and a secure working environment
Your future earning potential as an Infrastructure Technician:
What's included in the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship?
Included: Induction
Within the first month, all apprentices and employers will receive a thorough induction to the apprenticeship training program from a dedicated NowSkills tutor. This will involve:
- “Workplace Health, Safety & Wellbeing Assessment”,
- Completion of enrolment documentation
- The signing of the “Commitment Statement” and an “Apprenticeship Agreement”.
- The completion of initial assessments/diagnostics for English and maths
- Agreeing the Professional Development Plan (POP), which will detail: The sequencing and content of learning key milestones (for submitting portfolio evidence, exams etc.)
- Details of how to access any online learning platforms arrangements for safeguarding
- Inductions usually take a working day to complete dependent on the individual apprentice and employer
Included: In-centre Training
It is a statutory requirement that 20% of an apprentice’s working hours are spent training. 10% of this will be covered by attending modules in centre. The other 10% will be independent learning, guided distance learning and tutor sessions in the workplace. Infrastructure Technician Level 3 apprentices must attend 6x weeks of training in centre in their first 4-5 months (this varies between 1-2 weeks at a time, depending on when the modules are scheduled). They will complete the following modules:
Session 1
Knowledge Session 1: Business Principles
Duration: 1 week (9 am-4 pm)
- Safeguarding & Prevent Duty awareness
- Health, Safety & Wellbeing in the workplace
- Team roles & motivation
- Communication skills
- Business etiquette
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- British Values
- Mental health & personal resilience
- Developing your own professionalism
Session 2
Knowledge Session 2: Digital Business
Duration: 2 weeks (9 am-4 pm)
- Job Roles in the IT sector
- PC Hardware components
- Software including Operating Systems, utilities, and productivity software.
- The Internet and how it works compared to Web technologies and how they work
- The concepts of Web 2.0. Crowdsourcing, collective intelligence
- Social networking platforms and how they can be a business tool
- Peer to peer networks and the Client/Server model and how they work
Session 3
Knowledge Session 3: Cloud Technologies
Duration: 1 week (9 am-4 pm)
- Cloud terminology and terms plus the usage and benefits of the different Cloud models
- The concepts of load balancing, failover and redundancy
- Connectivity in the Cloud and the Cloud access portal
- Importance of Virtualisation Technology in the Cloud
Session 4
Knowledge Session 4: Network Technologies
Duration: 1 week (9 am-4 pm)
- The basic network structures such as the LAN, the WAN and the MAN
- The network protocols IP v4 and IP V6
- The characteristics of different network cables including co-axial, twisted pair and fibre
- The physical network topologies
- The function of networking devices
Session 5
Knowledge Session 5: Server Technologies
Duration: 1 week (9 am-4 pm)
- Windows Server Editions and the minimum system requirements
- Server roles including Domain Controllers and using Server Manager to deploy them
- Install and configure Printers in the Domain and understand the printing process
- Server Maintenance and Automatic deployment of updates using WSUS
Included: Ongoing Professional Development
Apprentices will be guided by a NowSkills tutor and their workplace mentor, throughout the duration of the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship. For a level 3 apprentice this must equate to 1/2 a working day for every week they aren’t attending training in centre, and will likely consist of:
- Mentoring sessions with the nominated employer mentor
- Training in the workplace, relevant to the standard
- Producing/collating evidence for the apprentice’s summerative portfolio
- Work shadowing
- Industry visits
- Attendance at competitions
- Online learning
- Studying or researching
Included: Examinations
Before an apprentice can reach the threshold for the gateway phase, apprentices must have successfully achieved the following exams:
- MTA Networking Fundamentals
- CIW Internet Business Associate
- MTA Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
- City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Coding and Logic
Included: Tutor 1:1s
These take place monthly, either at the workplace or live online with the tutor. The will involve:
- Coaching sessions, in areas of training need agreed with the tutor
- Professional Development Reviews (PDRs), which employers must partake in. These allow for a meaningful discussion between all 3x parties about the apprentice’s achievements, areas for improvement and progress made to date
- Updating of the Professional Development Plan (POP)
- Provision of ongoing careers education, information, advice & guidance
(CEIAG) - Feedback on an apprentice’s work
- English, maths, and wider digital skills development
- Support in understanding and applying: safeguarding; fundamental British values; health, safety, & wellbeing; and equality, diversity, and inclusion
In addition to tutor 1:1s, all apprentices and employers must also partake in a monthly Professional Development Review (PDR):
- A meaningful discussion about the apprentice’s achievements
- Identifying areas for improvements, and agreeing a consequent target plan
- Looking at progress made to date
Included: Gateway to End-Point Assessment
This is the period in which the decision is made whether the apprentice is ready to cross the threshold phase, from learning and formative assessments to the end-point assessment phase. This decision will be made by the employer, training provider, and apprentice, based on the apprentice’s progress. To move onto the end-point assessment phase, it is essential to have passed all the knowledge modules and/or vendor or qualifications or professional qualifications and to provide a portfolio of work.
Successful completion!
Congratulations! You will have completed your Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship! You will have learned the skills, knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours to embark on a rewarding IT & digital career.
What happens after I successfully complete the Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship?
Upon successful completion of the Infrastructure Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship, further progression opportunities are available:
- Promotion in the workplace, or a movement into a managerial role
- Study at a higher level of apprenticeship (dependent on occupation)
- Enrolling in a degree (full or part-time) or even a degree apprenticeship
- Continuing in the role, but undertaking additional, related qualifications to further development
NowSkills tutors and support staff are trained to advise you on the wide range of career options available after your apprenticeship. For many apprentices this may be continuing employment in a permanent with their apprenticeship employer; for others, it may be new education or career opportunities.
