Introducing Our New Apprentice
We recently had a new addition to the team at our HQ in Heywood. Adam is our new apprentice and is currently studying for his NVQ Level 3 Diploma in ICT, software, web and telecoms professional at Bury College. Starting in any new job for the first time is daunting, but to start and learn at the same time is even more difficult. Adam has been with us for just over a month and is fitting into the team very well.
The apprenticeship programme works on a strict timetable of college 1 day per week and practical experience for the rest of the time. This way it ensures that the apprentice receives the correct instruction to pass the course, and the relevant experience, which helps to develop confidence and knowledge. The apprentice is in constant contact with the college tutor/assessor via online records and guided daily by the placement organisation.
Adam has now been with us for 4-weeks and over that month, he has accompanied us on various different jobs and projects. During his first week, he assisted with the installation of a new CCTV system for one of our clients and completed our necessary training on the correct procedures for installing different types of software on PCs. We even managed to fit in ransomware training for him too.
Adam commented:
“This is the part I enjoy the most – learning new IT skills with hands on experience. I also enjoy meeting all the clients. College is going well and I am preparing for the NVQ Level 3 exams. The apprenticeship is over 2 years but I am hoping to finish the college part in less time, I will work hard to try and achieve this. I feel this is a really good apprenticeship and an excellent opportunity for me.”
Smarter Technologies Director, John Miller has kept Adam very busy over his first month and guided him through reinstallation of Windows, equipment drivers, and updates on PCs. As well as learning about routine maintenance and connecting laptops to clients’ domains, setting up PCs and many other tasks.
Smarter Technologies has been a supporter of the apprentice programme for a number of years and we believe that hands-on experience coupled with day-release delivers a strong foundation for those students who want to train as a technicians. From 2015/16 more than half a million apprentices started their training in a variety of professions, figures increasing yearly.
The last word goes to Adam:
“I feel my first month went really well and I have learnt so much, a lot more than I expected. I am now looking forward to next month and hopefully I will learn a lot more new skills. Smarter Technologies has extensive knowledge in all areas of IT and I feel I can learn so much.”
