Information Communications Technician Apprenticeship

This occupation is found in organisations, large and small, in all sectors, and within public, private and voluntary organisations.

The broad purpose of the ICT occupation is to deliver efficient operation and control of the IT and/or Telecommunications infrastructure (comprising physical or virtual hardware, software, network services and data storage) either on-premises or to end-users provisioned as cloud services that is required to deliver and support the information systems needs of an organisation.

The occupation includes contributing to the preparation for new or changed services, operation of the change process, the maintenance of regulatory, legal and professional standards, the building and management of systems and components in virtualised and cloud computing environments and the monitoring of performance of systems and services in relation to their contribution to business performance, their security and their sustainability.

The Information Communications Technician makes their contribution through the application of infrastructure management tools to automate the provisioning, testing, deployment and monitoring of infrastructure components.

An Information Communications Technician (ICT) provides support to internal and/or external customers, by using tools or systems to problem solve and trouble-shoot routine and non-routine problems. This occupation supports clients/customers with their systems. They achieve this through monitoring and maintaining the systems and/or platforms to maximise productivity and user experience.

An ICT could be installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and/or software faults, solving technical and applications problems, either remotely or in person. Some examples of these issues are slow performance, connection problems, and an inability to access data.

The work of an ICT involves undertaking a vast array of specialist roles supporting business critical requirements and focus on customer solutions. Networking, Server, IT Essentials, Secure Communications, programming, and databases are just an example of typical tasks and projects undertaken within the likely areas of employment.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide variety of internal or external users of digital systems, through digital channels, remotely and/or face to face.

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for prioritising systems support tasks as they arise and for monitoring and maintaining system performance. They may work alone or as part of a team but will escalate problems in line with their organisation’s policies and Service Level Agreements. For example, if the task may not be completed on premise, it may have to be referred to an external specialist.

The Support Technician role is desk based resolving system user queries and resolving faults in a helpdesk environment. For example, a Support Technician in a Travel Agent would use a system to manage their customer bookings and when the system fails it needs rectifying rapidly in order to reduce the financial impact and damage to customer reputation. The business would contact a Support Technician to report the problem and either get it fixed or escalated to an engineer.

A Network Technician role is usually desk based but may involve visits to client’s premises to resolve issues. For example, a Network Technician working in a university or a college they may be installing a computer lab as a training suite including cabling and hardware requirements. They may be required to install cloud services to support a business expansion and provide better network services.
In a contact centre environment, they may use network management tools to collect and report on network load and performance statistics to improve commercial outcomes.
In a retail bank they may contribute to the implementation of maintenance and installation work using standard procedures and tools to carry out defined system backups, restoring data where necessary.

A Digital Communications Technician may be desk or field-based resolving faults and issues with communications systems. For example, working in a defence organisation operates as an Online Network Technician they would be at the heart of every mission solving complex issues, enabling the secure exchange of mission critical and often Top-Secret information. It would be their responsibility to administer and provide specialist communications and IT equipment including classified information and cryptographic material to guarantee Operational Capability is delivered to the Command.

A digital communications technician working for a large telecom’s organisation could be involved in the build, test and integration of end-to-end customer solutions to support customer order delivery. Not to mention the build, test and maintenance of core and mobile radio access networks, working with both internal and external customers.

A digital communications technician working for a large telecom’s organisation could be involved in the build, test and integration of end-to-end customer solutions to support customer order delivery. Not to mention the build, test and maintenance of core and mobile radio access networks, working with both internal and external customers.

What are the entry requirements?

Individual employers may set their own selection criteria, but is likely to include 5 GCSEs (9-4) with English, Maths and a Science or Technology subject. Alternatively, a relevant Level 2 apprenticeship and experience; or an aptitude test with a focus on IT skills.

Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the End-Point Assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language (BSL) qualification is an alternative to the English qualification for those whose primary language is BSL.

How often do I have to attend college?

Attendance at college one day per week (Wednesday) 9:00am to 4pm.

Professional recognition

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

• RITTech for 3

What can I do next?

Successful candidates may progress onto a higher apprenticeship or gain full-time employment.

How is my business going to benefit from an Information Communications Technician Apprentice?

How can I fit this apprentice into my business?

Apprentices will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Knowledge

K1: Approaches to back up and storage solutions

K2: Basic elements of technical documentation and its interpretation

K3: Principles of root cause problem solving using fault diagnostics for troubleshooting

K4: Principles of basic network addressing for example binary

K5: basic awareness of the principles of cloud and cloud-based services

K6: fundamental principles of virtual networks and components

K7: principles of cultural awareness and how diversity impacts on delivery of support tasks.

K8: methods of communication including level of technical terminology to use to technical and non-technical stakeholders

K9: different types of maintenance and preventative measures to reduce the incidence of faults

K10: key principles of security including the role of People, Product and Process in secure systems for example access and encryption requirements

K11: fundamentals of physical networks and components

K12: approaches to documenting tasks, findings, actions taken and outcome for example, use of task tracking and ticketing systems

K13: basic awareness of legislation in relation to disposal of waste materials for example Waste Electronic and Electrical regulations (WEEE)

K14: fundamental principles of operating systems, hardware system architectures and devices

K15: principles of remote operation of devices including how to deploy and securely integrate mobile devices into a network

K16: fundamental principles of peripherals for example: printers and scanners

K17: principles of virtualisation of servers, applications and networks

K18: principles of disaster recovery, how a disaster recovery plan works and their role within it

K19: principles of Test Plans, their role and significance

K20: fundamentals of purpose, creation and maintenance of asset registers

K21: approaches to system upgrades and updates and their significance

K22: approaches to interpretation of log files, event viewer and system tools

K23: basic elements of network infrastructure architectures including WiFi and wired networks

K24: Principles of OSI layers

K25: Principles of cloud and network architecture (including Wi-Fi)

K26: Principles of DNS / DHCP

K27: Awareness of Cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or GCP

K28: Principles of LANs and WANs

K29: Approaches to virtualisation of servers, applications, and networks

K30: Principles of network protocols

K31: Principles of API’s and Web Services

K32: The different types of cloud storage

K33: Back up procedures and their importance

K34: Principles of databases and migration

K35: Key principles of Cloud Security and firewalls

K36: Awareness of DevOps methodology and tools, such as Puppet, Chef, Git, Docker

K37: Basic elements of network communication architectures for example, hardware, software, protocols and connection mediums.

K38: awareness of the purpose of firewalls

K39: different types of connectivity and cabling for example physical and remote

K40: awareness of network protocols

K41: The purpose of digital communications technologies for example, hardware, virtual and cellular technologies

K42: Main factors affecting network performance including faults and error control

K43: Principles of digital test and diagnostic equipment usage

K44: Basic principles of VPN and Remote Access Security for example transmission technologies

Skills

S1: Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer’s requirements in line with organisation’s policy

S2: Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification

S3: apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments

S4: Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders

S5: Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate

S6: Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders

S7: Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources

S8: Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate

S9: Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely

S10: Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation’s policies and Service Level Agreements

S11: Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements

S12: Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task

S13: Identify and scope the best solution informed by the system data associated with the task

S14: Test and evaluate the system’s performance and compliance with customer requirements.

S15: Escalate non routine problems in line with procedures

S16: Use basic scripting to execute the relevant tasks for example PowerShell, Linux

S17: Carry out routine maintenance across systems, (such as IT, Communications), ensuring organisational compliance at all times

S18: Apply the necessary security, in line with access and/or encryption requirements

S19: Use a range of Cabling or Connectors equipment in line with technical requirements for example physically or remotely

S20: Test and evaluate network environments

S21: Monitor performance and usage of a network

S22: Deploy applications on a network

S23: Set up storage and data access for staff

S24: Apply necessary security measures, in line with access requirements to a network

S25: Carry out routine maintenance across network systems, ensuring organisational compliance

S26: Monitor network-related workloads including DNS and firewalls

S27: Install or undertake basic upgrades, either physically or remotely

S28: Establish digital communication or telecommunications systems through, for example cabling and connecting equipment.

S29: Identify a range of tools and or diagnostic equipment, for example, Hardware or Software components, to resolve Communications or Telecommunications requirements.

S30: Undertake basic telecommunications activities, in response to an allocated task, designated responsibilities, instructions or customer’s requirements.

S31: Use information necessary to identify operational issues and rectify or escalate accordingly in line with policy

Behaviours

B1: Works professionally, taking initiative as appropriate and acting with an ethical approach

B2: Communicates technical and non-technical information in a variety of situations to support effective working with internal or external stakeholders

B3: Demonstrates a productive and organised approach to their work

B4: Self-motivated, for example takes responsibility to complete the job.

What will this cost my business?

Does the apprentice have to attend college?

Attendance at college one day per week (Wednesday) 9:00am to 4pm.

What about support in the workplace?

Once they have started their programme, the apprentice will require mentoring and help in satisfying the requirements for endpoint assessment. This will involve: assisting the apprentice in assembling the portfolio to ensure that it meets the entire standard and is to a good quality; working with CI to choose a suitable project that will demonstrate the learning and allow the learner to carry out the project outside day-to-day work; provide a reference letter setting out your view on the quality of the apprentice’s work.

Why should I choose Colchester Institute to support my recruitment and retention?

This document sets out the requirements for end-point assessment (EPA) for the Information Communication Technician apprenticeship standard. It explains how EPA for this apprenticeship must
operate. It provides the EPA design requirements for end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs). It will also be useful for apprentices undertaking this apprenticeship, their employers and training providers.

The Occupational Standard includes 3 options:
1. Support Technician
2. Network Technician
3. Digital Communications Technician

EPA must be conducted by an EPAO approved to deliver EPA for this apprenticeship standard. Each employer should select an approved EPAO from the Education & Skills Funding Agency’s Register of
end-point assessment organisations (RoEPAO). Full-time apprentices will typically spend 18 months on-programme (before the gateway) working towards this occupational standard. All apprentices must spend a minimum of 12 months on programme. All apprentices must spend a minimum of 20% of on-programme time undertaking off-the job training.

Before starting EPA, an apprentice must meet the gateway requirements. For this apprenticeship they are:
• the employer must be content that the apprentice is working at or above the occupational standard
• apprentices must have compiled and submitted a portfolio of evidence to underpin the professional discussion
• for level 3 apprenticeships and above apprentices without English and mathematics at level 2 must achieve level 2 prior to taking their EPA.

The EPAO must confirm that all required gateway evidence has been provided and accepted as meeting the gateway requirements. The EPAO is responsible for confirming gateway eligibility. Once this has been confirmed, the EPA period starts. This EPA should then be completed within an EPA period typically lasting four months. This EPA consists of two discrete assessment methods. It will be possible to achieve the following grades in each assessment method:

Assessment method 1: Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio
• Fail
Pass
Distinction

For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeship’s English and Mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. British Sign Language (BSL) qualifications are
an alternative to English qualifications for those who have BSL as their primary language.

Assessment method 2: Project report with questioning
• Fail
Pass
Distinction

Performance in the EPA will determine the overall apprenticeship standard grade of:
• Fail
• Pass
• Merit
• Distinction