With such a fast moving industry, IT apprenticeships offer staff the chance to update and improve their skill and knowledge sets and keep up to date in the ever-changing technology landscape.
Careers in IT find homes in almost every industry, as all businesses are reliant on technology. Whether you want to work in visual effects, cybersecurity, data analytics, UX or IT support, IT apprenticeships give you the skills to grow and develop in this fast-paced environment.
Who can apply for IT apprenticeships?
IT apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers, although it does offer a valuable route into the career for new starters as well. There is no age limit and apprenticeships are open to people of any age and any career level. Apprenticeships are valuable for staff of any industry looking to learn practical, role-ready knowledge and skills and you can use the apprenticeship levy to train existing staff as well as taking on new employees. IT apprenticeships are offered from Level 2 (intermediate) all the way up to Level 3 (advanced) and are a great way to develop the knowledge and skill set of existing staff.
IT Apprenticeships - Levels
Name | Level | Equivalent Educational Level |
Intermediate | 2 | GCSE |
Advanced | 3 | A Level |
Higher | 4,5, 6 and 7 | Foundation degree and above |
Degree | 6 and 7 | Bachelor's or master's degree |
If you are a company required to pay the apprenticeships levy, you can spend your levy money on apprenticeship training and end-point assessment with a training provider on the Education & Skills Funding Agency’s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (RoATP). We only list RoTAP approved apprenticeship providers, and you can search for courses here to find a provider to match.
Apprenticeship training must last a minimum of 12 months and 20% of the apprentice’s time must be spent on off-the-job training. You can only use funds in the account to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment for apprentices that work at least 50% of the time in England, and only up to the funding band maximum for that apprenticeship.
For employers who don’t pay the levy, support is still available. If you pay 10% of the apprenticeship training costs and the government will pay the rest (90%), up to the funding band maximum. This is known as ‘co-investment’.
What IT apprenticeships standards are currently being offered?
There are apprenticeships available in several areas within the IT sector:
- IT Application Specialist
- IT technical salesperson
- IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals
- Digital and Technology Solution Specialist (degree)
- Digital and technology solutions professional
- Infrastructure Technician
- Cybersecurity technologist
- Software developer
- Improving Operational Performance: Business-Improvement Techniques
- Unified communications troubleshooter
- Cyber intrusion analyst
Choosing the right IT apprenticeships training provider
You can find and compare government approved, RoATP registered apprenticeship providers on our website. If you’re not sure which level is right for you or your staff you can find guides, articles and help on our Apprenticeship Hub.