Published : Tue 4th Feb
Fatima joined our IT Academy in September 2021, having previously completed an apprenticeship in a school as a Teaching Assistant but realising she spent a lot of her time involved in supporting the technical challenges and how much she enjoyed it. Since completing her apprenticeship she has moved into a role as an Information Security Technician within our IT team:
Why did you choose to apply for an IT apprenticeship at the Trust?
Interestingly, it was while I completed another apprenticeship that I decided to pursue an IT apprenticeship. My previous role involved supporting students with additional needs, ranging from primary school to sixth form. Although this position had its rewarding moments (and not so rewarding moments), I felt it offered limited opportunities for growth. During that time, I also took on the role of informal IT support for the school, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This experience sparked my interest in finding a pathway into the IT field.
Moreover, the Trust's commitment to important values such as conserving nature and heritage resonated with me deeply.
What where the best things about the apprenticeship?
The best part about the apprenticeships was definitely the on-the-job learning. I'll admit, I'm not exactly a classroom learner – but getting to apply my knowledge to real-life tasks every day really helped it stick. Plus, I learned so much more effectively this way. My team was fantastic too; they encouraged my growth and shared practical wisdom from their years of experience – the kind of stuff you just don't find in textbooks.
What challenges did you face?
Of course, there were still some classroom moments! I found it a bit challenging to stay focused in those settings, especially since COVID meant I had to do my learning virtually. (Unpopular opinion: I preferred it that way.) The instructors were great, though – they always made time to go over things outside of class and were incredibly understanding. And my apprenticeship mentor went above and beyond, tailoring my learning.
How did the training provider/college support you?
As I mentioned, my apprenticeship mentor was committed to preparing me for every milestone. We had numerous one-on-one sessions tailored to my learning style, tackling areas where I lacked confidence. We even did a few trial runs of some exam pieces, which was a lifesaver when the real thing came around.
I also stayed in touch with the instructor, who generously took the time to review my portfolio and go over any tricky topics.
What happened after the programme ended and how did the apprenticeship help you?
After the apprenticeship ended, I was seamlessly integrated into the team and entrusted with more responsibilities. I even felt confident enough to take on additional tasks myself, including managing phishing simulations for the entire Trust! (Yes, that’s me.) The apprenticeship was instrumental in building trust and understanding its inner workings – something a purely theoretical course could never achieve.
Moreover, I felt well-supported in continuing my learning journey and pushing my boundaries further. The topics covered were incredibly relevant, providing up-to-date information on technology and cyber-attacks. This knowledge was invaluable for keeping my team informed and aware of the latest threats too.
What advice would you give for anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship in IT?
I'd say go for it! It's a fantastic way to get your foot in the door and gain practical experience you wouldn't otherwise pick up. Plus, IT is always evolving, so there's always something new to learn.
