How to Choose the Right IT Apprenticeship for Your Business

Key Takeaways

Business Needs

Assess current skills gaps and future IT requirements.

Program Options

Explore various IT apprenticeship programs available.

Duration & Structure

Consider program length and learning approach.

Eligibility & Application

Review requirements and support apprentices through the process.

Costs & Funding

Understand financial implications and available funding options.

Certifications

Look for programs offering industry-recognized qualifications.

Long-term Potential

Evaluate opportunities for career progression and business growth.

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1. Assess Your Business Needs and Skills Gaps

Before choosing an IT apprenticeship, take a look at your current IT team's skills and figure out where you need more help. Do you need someone to manage networks?

More people for IT Support? Or maybe you want to improve your Data Analysis?

Make a list of all the IT skills your business has now and compare it to the skills you need to reach your goals. The differences between these lists will show you what kind of IT apprentice would be most helpful for your company.

Think about where you want your business to be in 3-5 years and what IT skills you'll need to get there. This will help you pick an apprenticeship program that not only helps now but also prepares your business for the future.

2. Explore Different IT Apprenticeship Programs

Once you know what your business needs, it's time to look at the different IT apprenticeship programs available. At Solveway, we offer several specialised IT apprenticeship programs:

Network Engineer Apprenticeship

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The Network Engineer is an 18 month, Level 4 apprenticeship that teaches skills in IT infrastructure, Networking, and Security.

It's great if your business uses or supports complex network systems or wants to improve cybersecurity. Apprentices learn to design, install, maintain, and support communication networks.

Information Communication Technician Apprenticeship

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The Information Communication Technician apprenticeship is a level 3, 15-month programme that is perfect for businesses wanting to improve their IT support and communication systems. Apprentices learn to help customers use technology effectively in their jobs.

Data Technician Apprenticeship

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The Data Technician Apprenticeship is a Level 3 programme with a 13-month duration. Focussing on data analysis and business insights. It's ideal if your company wants to make more data-driven decisions or needs help managing large datasets. Apprentices learn to collect, organise, and analyse data to support business decisions.

3. Consider Program Duration and Structure

Think about how long the program lasts and how it's structured. Solveway's IT apprenticeships take 13 to 18 months, allowing apprentices to learn a lot while still fitting into your business schedule.

Our programs mix online learning with classroom sessions. This means apprentices learn theory and then apply it in real situations at your business. They develop skills they can use right away in their work.

Consider how the program will fit with your business operations. Can you provide the necessary support and training opportunities? How will the classroom sessions fit with your work schedules?

Some businesses might prefer a shorter, more intense program to quickly fill a skills gap. Others might choose a longer program that allows for gradual skill development alongside regular work. The right choice depends on your specific needs and ability to support the apprentice's learning.

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These requirements might be different for each program. Some higher-level apprenticeships might need extra qualifications or experience. Always check the specific requirements for each program you're interested in.

The application process usually involves an initial application, some tests, and interviews. As an employer, you'll need to help your potential apprentice through this process. This might mean providing documents, joining interviews, or helping with skill tests.

Understanding these requirements and processes will help you find good candidates and make sure your new IT apprentice starts smoothly. Think about how you'll include the apprenticeship application in your usual hiring process to make it easy for both your business and the potential apprentice.

5. Understand Costs and Funding Options

When choosing an IT apprenticeship, it's important to know about the costs and ways to pay for it. The UK government has set up some programs to help businesses take on apprentices, including the Apprenticeship Levy and co-funding options.

If your business pays more than £3 million in wages each year, you'll need to pay the Apprenticeship Levy. This is 0.5% of your total wage bill and can be used to pay for apprenticeship training. For smaller businesses that don't pay the levy, the government pays 95% of the training costs, and you pay the remaining 5%.

Remember to think about not just the direct costs of the program, but also the time spent mentoring and training the apprentice. These costs are an investment in skills that will help your business in the long run.

An apprentice can bring new ideas, up-to-date skills, and increased productivity to your business. They can help fill skills gaps more cheaply than hiring experienced professionals, and as they grow with your company, they become more valuable.

6. Look for Industry-Recognized Certifications

When choosing an IT apprenticeship programme, look for ones that offer certifications that are well-known in the industry. These certifications prove the skills your apprentice will learn and show that your team's qualifications are recognised across the industry.

At Solveway, our IT apprenticeship programmes are designed to include various industry-standard certifications. For example, our Network Engineer apprenticeship can lead to certifications like CompTIA Network +, Server + and Security +. Our Data Technician programme include certifications for data analysis and Microsoft Excel tools.

These certifications show that someone is good at specific IT skills and can make your business look more professional when dealing with clients or partners. They also give your apprentice clear goals to work towards, which can help them stay motivated and focused on their learning.

When looking at different apprenticeship programs, ask about the specific certifications included and how they fit with what your business needs. Think about how these certifications could help your business look good to clients, stand out from competitors, and take on more complex projects or services.

7. Evaluate the Potential for Long-term Employment

When choosing an IT apprenticeship programme, think about the long-term possibilities. The goal isn't just to fill a short-term skills gap, but to develop talent that can grow with your business over time.

Look at how apprentices can move up in their careers after the programme. At Solveway, we design our programs with clear paths for advancement. For example, an apprentice who finishes the Information Communication Technician programme might later move on to the Network Engineer apprenticeship, always building their skills and value to your business.

Think about how the skills learned during the apprenticeship fit with your long-term business goals. Will the apprentice be able to take on more responsibilities as they grow? Could they possibly become leaders in the future? Choosing an apprenticeship program that offers this kind of long-term potential can help you build a skilled, loyal workforce that really understands your business.

Also consider how the apprenticeship program fits with your company's culture and values. Look for programs that develop not just technical skills but also soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are important for long-term success and can help the apprentice fit in better with your team.

Conclusion

Choosing the right IT apprenticeship for your business requires careful thought about many factors. From understanding your business needs and exploring different programs, to knowing the costs and thinking about long-term potential, each step is important in making sure you select an apprenticeship that will really benefit your business.

Remember, an IT apprenticeship is more than just a training program - it's an investment in your business's future. By bringing in new talent and developing their skills to match your specific needs, you're not just filling a current skills gap, but building a workforce that can help your business grow in the changing world of IT.

If you're ready to hire an IT apprentice, talk to our dedicated team at Solveway. We're here to help you through the process and find the perfect IT apprenticeship for your business.