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Computing and IT apprenticeships
SUMMARY
Qualification
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Level
Principles of Management and Leadership Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 3 Diploma 3
Length
12 – 18 months plus end point assessment
Delivery model Entry requirements
Maths and English
Apprentice support and assessment
In company with 20% off-the-job training Entry requirement for this apprenticeship will be decided by the employer, but may typically be five GCSEs at Grade C/4 or higher. Apprentices without Level 2 English or maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment. During the duration of the training the college will provide expert tuition for the apprentice from highly trained staff. A qualified assessor - allocated to the apprentice - will provide an induction, regular assessments and ongoing progress reviews in the workplace. Progression Completion of the programme will enable candidates to progess to: • Associate project management apprenticeship • Leadership and management apprenticeship (Level 5) • HNC, HND or degree Professional body recognition On completion, apprentices may choose to register as Associate members with the Chartered Management Institute and/or the Institute of Leadership & Management, to support their professional career development and progression
Employer support
A dedicated account manager will support and guide employers throughout the process
Whether the company is small and needs someone to manage the entire computer system, or a large organisation needing extra staff to join the existing IT team, an apprenticeship will enable employees to develop the latest skills, knowledge and behaviours to perform their role effectively in one of the fastest growing global industries.
Apprentices will gain a firm grounding in the critical function of IT in the organisation – including providing effective support to internal and external customers, using problem-solving tools to resolve and trouble shoot IT issues, developing, implementing and maintaining complete IT solutions, protecting the organisation from breaches in network security responding to incidents - as well as developing teamwork, time management and communication skills.
The college offers the following computing and IT apprenticeships:
Cyber Intrusion Analyst – Level 4 Infrastructure Technician – Level 3 IT Solutions Technician (Hardware Solutions) - Level 3 IT Solutions Technician (Software Solutions) - Level 3
CYBER INTRUSION ANALYST – ST0114
Role profile
The primary role of a cyber intrusion analyst is to detect breaches in network security for escalation to incident response or other determined function. They will typically use a range of automated tools to monitor networks in real time, will understand and interpret the alerts that are automatically generated by those tools including integrating and correlating information from a variety of sources and in different forms and where necessary seek additional information to inform the judgement on whether the alert represents a security breach. When the analyst has decided that a security breach has been detected, they will escalate to an incident response team, or other determined action, providing both notification of the breach and evidence with reasoning that supports the judgement that a breach has occurred. A cyber intrusion analyst will typically work as part of a team (or may lead a team) and will interact with external stakeholders, including customers and third-party sources of threat and vulnerability intelligence and advice. Typical job roles include secure operations centre (SOC) analyst, intrusion analyst, network intrusion analyst, incident response centre (IRC) analyst, and network operations centre (NOC) security analyst.
CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOUR REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Apprentices will develop technical skills and knowledge of: • IT network features and functions, including virtual networking, principles and common practice in network security and the OSI and
TCP/IP models, and the function and features of the main network appliances • Utilising at least three operating system (OS)
security functions and associated features • Applying the foundations of information and cyber security including: explaining the importance of cyber security and basic concepts including harm, identity, confidentiality, integrity, availability, threat, risk and hazard, trust and assurance and the ‘insider threat’ as well as explaining how the concepts relate to each other and the significance of risk to a business • Proposing appropriate responses to current and new attack techniques, hazards and vulnerabilities relevant to the network and business environment • Proposing how to deal with emerging attack techniques, hazards and vulnerabilities relevant to the network and business environment • Lifecycle and service management practices to Information Technology Infrastructure
Library (ITIL) foundation level • Advising others on cyber incident response processes, incident management processes and evidence collection/preservation requirements to support incident investigation • Main features and applicability of law, regulations and standards (including Data
Protection Act/Directive, Computer Misuse
Act, ISO 27001) relevant to cyber network defence and follows these appropriately • Adhering to and can advise on the ethical responsibilities of a cyber security professional
SKILLS
Apprentices will develop skills and technical competencies enabling them to: • Integrate and correlate information from various sources (including log files from different sources, network monitoring tools,
Secure Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, access control systems, physical security systems) and compare to
known threat and vulnerability data to form a judgement based on evidence with reasoning that the anomaly represents a network security breach • Recognise anomalies in observed network data structures (including. by inspection of network packet data structures) and network behaviours (including by inspection of protocol behaviours) and by inspection of log files and by investigation of alerts raised by automated tools including SIEM tools • Accurately, impartially and concisely record and report the appropriate information, including the ability to write reports (within a structure or template provided) • Recognise and identify all the main normal features of log files generated by typical network appliances, including servers and virtual servers, firewalls, routers • Recognise and identify all the main features of a normally operating network layer (including TCP/IP, transport and session control or ISO OSI layers 2-5), including data structures and protocol behaviour, as presented by network analysis and visualisation tools • Use and effect basic configuration of the required automated tools, including network monitoring and analysis tools, SIEM tools, correlation tools, threat & vulnerability databases • Undertake root cause analysis of events and make recommendations to reduce false positives and false negatives • Interpret and follow alerts and advisories supplied by sources of threat and vulnerability (including OWASP, CISP, open source) and relate these to normal and observed network behaviour • Undertake own research to find information on threat and vulnerability (including using the internet) • Manage local response to non-major incidents in accordance with a defined
procedure • Interact and communicate effectively with the incident response team/process and/or customer incident response team/process for incidents • Operate according to service level agreements or employer defined performance targets
BEHAVIOUR
Apprentices will demonstrate the following behaviours: • Logical and creative thinking skills • Analytical and problem solving skills • Ability to work independently and to take responsibility • Using own initiative • Thorough and organised approach • Ability to work with a range of internal and external people • Ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations • Maintain a productive, professional and secure working environment • Ability to interpret written requirements and technical specification documents • Effective telephone and email skills, including ability to communicate effectively with strangers under pressure, including reporting a security breach
SUMMARY
Qualification Level
Cyber Intrusion Analyst apprenticeship 4
Length Delivery model
Entry requirements
Maths and English
Apprentice support and assessment
24 months (not including the end point assessment) Flexible to meet employer’s requirements. One day per week in college. Entry criteria will be set by individual employers but is likely to include A’ Levels, a Level 3 apprenticeship or other relevant qualification relevant experience and/or an aptitude test with a focus on functional maths. Apprentices without Level 1 (or equivalent) in maths and English must ensure that they achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the minimum maths and English requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for those for whom this is their primary language. Throughout the programme the apprentice will receive expert training from highly qualified staff A qualified assessor will provide an induction and regular workplace assessments Progression Completion of the programme will enable the apprentice to gain employment in an IT role or progress to a higher-level qualification. Professional body recognition Completion of the programme will enable apprentices to apply for Associate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Information Security and entry onto the Register of IT Technicians confirming SFIA Level 3 professional competence.
Employer support
A dedicated account manager will guide and support employers throughout the programme.
INFRASTRUCTURE TECHNICIAN - ST0125
Role profile
Infrastructure technicians set people up on systems and provide technical support when needed, rectifying issues to maintain the organisation’s productivity. They provide support to internal and external customers, helping them to be productive when using technology to do their own jobs, by using tools to problem solve and trouble shoot nonroutine problems. Typical job roles include help desk technician, first- or second-line support, IT infrastructure technician, network support technician.
CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOUR REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Apprentices will develop technical knowledge and understanding of: • Range of cabling and connectivity, the various types of antennas and wireless systems and IT test equipment • Maintenance processes and how to apply them in working practices • Applying the basic elements and architecture of computer systems • Where to apply the relevant numerical skills e.g binary • Relevant networking skills necessary to maintain a secure network • Similarities, differences and benefits of the current operating systems available • How to operate remotely and how to deploy and securely integrate mobile devices • Cloud and Cloud Services • Importance of disaster recovery, how a disaster recovery plan works and their role within it • Similarities and differences between a range of coding and logic • Complying with business processes • Business IT skills relevant to the organisation
SKILLS
Apprentices will develop a range of technical competencies: • Communication: Works both independently and as part of a team and following the organisation’s standards; competently demonstrating an ability to communicate both in writing and orally at all levels, using a range of tools and demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and cultural awareness when dealing with colleagues, customers and clients during all tasks. • IT Security: Demonstrates the necessary skills and behaviours to securely operate across all platforms and areas of responsibilities in line with organisational guidance, legislation. • Remote Infrastructure: Effectively operates a range of mobile devices and securely add them to a network in accordance with organisations policies and procedures. • Data: Effectively records, analyses and communicates data at the appropriate level using the organisation’s standard tools and processes and to all stakeholders within the responsibility of the position. • Problem solving: Applies structured techniques to common and non-routine problems, testing methodologies and troubleshooting and analyses problems by selecting the digital appropriate tools and techniques in line with organisation guidance and to obtain the relevant logistical support as required. • Workflow management: Works flexibly and demonstrates the ability to work under pressure to progress allocated tasks in accordance with the organisation’s reporting and quality systems. • Health and Safety: Interprets and follows IT legislation to securely and professional work productively in the work environment. • Performance: Optimises the performance
of hardware, software and Network
Systems and services in line with business requirements. • Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Directive: Can explain the correct processes associated with the WEEE.
BEHAVIOURS
Apprentices will demonstrate the following behaviours: • Logical and creative thinking skills • Analytical and problem solving skills • Ability to work independently and to take responsibility • Can use own initiative • 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 • Maintain productive, professional and secure working environment
SUMMARY
Qualification Level
Infrastructure Technician Apprenticeship 3
Length Delivery model
Entry requirements
Maths and English
Apprentice support and assessment
12 months (not including the end point assessment) Flexible depending on employer’s requirements. One day per week in college Entry requirements will be set by individual employers but these are likely to include five GCSEs, (especially English, maths and a science or technology subject); a relevant Level 2 apprenticeship; other relevant qualifications and experience; or an aptitude test with a focus on IT skills. Apprentices without Level 1 (or equivalent) in maths and/ or English and must ensure that they achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking the end-point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement the minimum maths and English requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for those for whom this is their primary language. Throughout the programme the apprentice will receive expert training from highly qualified staff A qualified assessor will provide an induction and regular workplace assessments Progression Completion of the programme will enable apprentices to progress to employment in the IT industry or a relevant higher-level apprenticeship. Professional body recognition Completion of the programme will enable apprentices to apply for entry to the Register of IT technicians confirming SFIA Level 3 professional competence.
Employer support
A dedicated account manager will guide and support employers throughout the programme.
Role profile
IT solutions technicians develop, implement and maintain complete IT solutions, including their hardware infrastructure (such as servers and networks) and software (such as operating systems, middleware and applications). They apply a professional methodology or framework to gather and analyse requirements; to design, develop, test, and implement IT solutions and to provide ongoing support both directly to end users and for the underlying IT services. The specific tasks undertaken vary depending on what needs to be achieved by the team at any particular time. Some tasks may be very technical, others may be more analytical, business or user focused. IT solutions technicians work as part of a multidisciplinary team, many of which will be modern DevOps-style teams, which carry out the full set of stages across the whole solution lifecycle: requirements gathering, solution development, testing, implementation and ongoing support. In more traditional organisations the team is likely to be focused more at one or other end of this broad set of activities - such teams may well be in transition to a modern DevOps-style team. IT solutions technicians undertake duties across the complete IT solution, working on the team’s core activities, therefore all apprentices will take a common core as well as additional options relevant to the role of IT hardware solutions technician IT hardware solutions technicians undertake activities in the area of the infrastructure aspects of solutions such as servers and networks (fixed or mobile). Typical job titles include IT solutions technician, technical analyst, junior support analyst, IT support analyst, systems analyst, IT technical support, IT systems support technician, junior DevOps professional, IT service desk or technical service support (at 2nd, 3rd or 4th line support).
Apprentices will develop technical knowledge and understanding of: • Stages within the overall solution lifecycle • Main principals, features, differences and benefits of Waterfall and Agile type methodologies and the function of service management frameworks • Aims and benefits of DevOps approaches, including the benefits of automation, the ideas behind continuous integration and monitoring • Principles of Solution Architecture including the importance of re-use • Why testing is necessary, the need for both functional and non-functional testing, the different types of testing available, including unit testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing and performance testing • Planning and delivery within their role and how this contributes to the wider team and the organisation • How the end-user context influences the solution • Key features of, and where to find, organisational requirements in relation to policies, standards, legislation, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality • Main legislation, policies and standards that apply to IT solutions • Concepts of networking including the
ISO (International Organisation for
Standardisation) and TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network stacks, Ethernet LANs (Local Area
Networks), IP addressing, Port numbers, DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol), and the principals of routing between LANs and WANs (Wide Area
Networks) • Different types of network devices, routers
and network switches, their relationship to the stack model and the use of firewalls • Main components within an IT solution including how hardware and software components work together • Main components of a computer system and their purpose, including servers, enduser computers, and mobile devices (both physical and virtual), user interfaces, CPUs, storage and connectivity • Purpose of an operating system • Concepts of Cloud, cloud services and storage • How their work contributes to business performance, continuity and resilience • Main trends in emerging technologies – including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and automation - and the potential implications for digital activities. • Necessary numerical skills including binary and hexadecimal • Why cyber security is essential as part of the delivery of any solution • Importance of working securely and the main classifications of types of threats and common mitigation practices • Meaning of risk in the context of security and can explain the relationship between levels of risk, impact, and designed level of protection in IT solutions • Role of configuration management and version control systems and when they should be used • Concepts of virtualisation • Use of different platforms (including web, mobile, or desktop applications). • Concepts of relational databases, nonrelational structured and unstructured databases • Concepts of solutions development to a given set of requirements, including the use of standard approaches for web and cloudbased solutions • Benefits of and requirements for vendor support including commercial cloud offerings
In addition, apprentices will also gain additional knowledge and understanding required to operate as a hardware solutions technician: • Principles of Solution Architecture as applied to hardware • Advantages and disadvantages of different types of hardware configurations • Range of cabling and connectivity • Concepts of standard builds • Concepts of mobile data, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G and Wi-Ff and the security implications of such solutions • Different types of storage including locally attached, SAN (storage area network) and networked, and the concepts of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Discs) and knowledge of RAID levels • Requirements when working with electrostatic sensitive equipment (including personal grounding devices) and when working in a server room or data centre and when handling equipment • How to install, configure and test hardware components, networks and devices – including servers, end-user computers and mobile devices • Need to follow a logical approach and how to ensure connectivity within solutions
SKILLS
Apprentices will develop a range of required technical skills: • Applies a professional methodology or framework in their work tasks • Executes appropriate due diligence, including formal testing or validation • Applies a range of technical IT skills, including accessing remote systems; file manipulation; file editing, changing system or application settings; system administration; setting up and upgrading components
(infrastructure or software) • Operates in line with organisational polices, standards, legislation, security requirements, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality; and understands escalation policies. • Creates and maintains documentation in accordance with best practice, organisational guidance and legislation • Identifies appropriate technical solutions using both logical and creative thinking • Diagnoses and understands client requirements and problems using sound analytical and problem solving skills • Communicates effectively in a variety of situations including formal and informally both within their team and externally • Operates securely across all their areas of responsibility, in line with organisational guidance and legislation
In addition, apprentices will also gain the additional skills required to operate as a hardware solutions technician: • Works at any stage of the hardware solution lifecycle • Undertakes maintenance of a range of contemporary or legacy hardware solutions to required levels of service • Installs and configures basic hardware system components, networks and devices (including servers, end-user computers, and mobile devices, whether physical or virtual) as required • Demonstrates safe application of the concepts of electro-static discharge (ESD) and meets appropriate health and safety standards when working with hardware
BEHAVIOUR
Apprentices will demonstrate the following behaviours: • Work professionally and independently, taking responsibility and initiative as appropriate • Demonstrate standard business courtesies
and professional ethics in how they work • Demonstrates a productive and organised approach to their work • Works effectively with customers, clients and users.
SUMMARY
Qualification Level Length Delivery model
Entry requirements
Maths and English
Apprentice support and assessment
Progression
Employer support
IT Solutions Technician 3 18 months (not including the end point assessment period) Workplace-based with occasional attendance at college sessions to develop required skills, knowledge and behaviours. Individual employers will set their own entry requirements however, typically, an apprentice might be expected to already have: • Five GCSEs at grades 9/A* - 4/C, • Other relevant qualifications or experience • Pass an aptitude test Apprentices without Level 1 (or equivalent) in English and maths must ensure that they achieve this level and take the test for Level 2 prior to taking the end point assessment. For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the English and maths minimum requirement is Entry Level 3. A British Sign Language qualification is an alternative to English qualifications for those for whom this is their primary language. Throughout the programme the apprentice will receive expert training from highly qualified staff A qualified assessor will provide an induction and regular workplace assessments The administration role may be a gateway to further career opportunities, such as management or senior support roles. A dedicated account manager will guide and support employers throughout the programme.
Role profile
IT solutions technicians develop, implement and maintain complete IT solutions, including their hardware infrastructure (such as servers and networks) and software (such as operating systems, middleware and applications). They apply a professional methodology or framework to gather and analyse requirements; to design, develop, test, and implement IT solutions and to provide ongoing support both directly to end users and for the underlying IT services. The specific tasks undertaken vary depending on what needs to be achieved by the team at any particular time. Some tasks may be very technical, others may be more analytical, business or user focused. IT solutions technicians work as part of a multidisciplinary team, many of which will be modern DevOps-style teams, which carry out the full set of stages across the whole solution lifecycle: requirements gathering, solution development, testing, implementation and ongoing support. In more traditional organisations the team is likely to be focused more at one or other end of this broad set of activities - such teams may well be in transition to a modern DevOps-style team. IT solutions technicians undertake duties across the complete IT solution, working on the team’s core activities, therefore all apprentices will take a common core and then choose one of two options: IT software solutions technicians undertake activities in the area of applications and supporting components such as databases Typical job titles include IT solutions technician, service analyst, junior systems analyst, systems developer, database technician, IT support analyst, IT support technician, IT systems support, junior DevOps professional, IT service desk or applications support technician (at 2nd, 3rd or 4th line support)
CORE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND BEHAVIOUR REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE
Apprentices will develop technical knowledge and understanding of: • Stages within the overall solution lifecycle • Main principals, features, differences and benefits of Waterfall and Agile type methodologies and the function of service management frameworks • Aims and benefits of DevOps approaches, including the benefits of automation, the ideas behind continuous integration and monitoring • Principles of Solution Architecture including the importance of re-use • Why testing is necessary, the need for both functional and non-functional testing, the different types of testing available, including unit testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing and performance testing • Planning and delivery within their role and how this contributes to the wider team and the organisation • How the end-user context influences the solution • Key features of, and where to find, organisational requirements in relation to policies, standards, legislation, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality • Main legislation, policies and standards that apply to IT solutions • Concepts of networking including the
ISO (International Organisation for
Standardisation) and TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network stacks, Ethernet LANs (Local Area
Networks), IP addressing, Port numbers, DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host
Configuration Protocol), and the principals of routing between LANs and WANs (Wide Area
Networks)
• Different types of network devices, routers and network switches, their relationship to the stack model and the use of firewalls • Main components within an IT solution including how hardware and software components work together • Main components of a computer system and their purpose, including servers, enduser computers, and mobile devices (both physical and virtual), user interfaces, CPUs, storage and connectivity • Purpose of an Operating System • Concepts of Cloud, Cloud Services and storage • How their work contributes to business performance, continuity and resilience • Main trends in emerging technologies – including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and automation - and the potential implications for digital activities. • Necessary numerical skills including binary and hexadecimal • Why cyber security is essential as part of the delivery of any solution • Importance of working securely and the main classifications of types of threats and common mitigation practices • Meaning of risk in the context of security and can explain the relationship between levels of risk, impact, and designed level of protection in IT solutions • Role of configuration management and version control systems and when they should be used • Concepts of virtualisation • Use of different platforms (including web, mobile, or desktop applications). • Concepts of relational databases, nonrelational structured and unstructured databases • Concepts of solutions development to a given set of requirements, including the use of standard approaches for web and cloudbased solutions • Benefits of and requirements for vendor support including commercial cloud offerings
In addition, apprentices will also gain additional knowledge and understanding required to operate as a software solutions technician: • Principles of Solution Architecture as applied to software • Why there is a need to follow good coding practices and have good coding standards • Main categories of computer languages and the main features and benefits of each • How to implement software solutions including simple programing to a given a set of requirements and how to connect code to data sources • Purpose and usage of document mark-up languages including XML (extensible markup language) and html (hypertext markup language) • Use of relational databases, including tables, views, joins and indexes • Use of Big Data environments for storage and analysis of non-relational structured and unstructured data the purpose of database normalization - organising the attributes and relations of a relational database to reduce data redundancy and improve data integrity • How to develop, test and implement code following a logical approach
SKILLS
Apprentices will develop a range of required technical skills: • Applies a professional methodology or framework in their work tasks • Executes appropriate due diligence, including formal testing or validation • Applies a range of technical IT skills, including accessing remote systems; file manipulation; file editing, changing system or application settings; system administration; setting up and upgrading components
(infrastructure or software) • Operates in line with organisational polices, standards, legislation, security requirements, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality; and understands escalation policies. • Creates and maintains documentation in accordance with best practice, organisational guidance and legislation • Identifies appropriate technical solutions using both logical and creative thinking • Diagnoses and understands client requirements and problems using sound analytical and problem solving skills • Communicates effectively in a variety of situations including formal and informally both within their team and externally • Operates securely across all their areas of responsibility, in line with organisational guidance and legislation
In addition, apprentices will also gain the additional skills required to operate as a software solutions technician: • Works at any stage of the software solution lifecycle • Undertakes maintenance of a range of contemporary or legacy software solutions to required levels of service • Installs and configures software system components including virtualised components where appropriate • Writes or maintains simple scripts or code • Can search and manipulate different types of data sources, including both structured and unstructured
BEHAVIOUR
Apprentices will demonstrate the following behaviours: • Work professionally and independently, taking responsibility and initiative as appropriate • Demonstrate standard business courtesies and professional ethics in how they work • Demonstrates a productive and organised approach to their work • Works effectively with customers, clients and users.
