National Apprenticeship Week: Charlotte Bishop, IT Technician

It’s important to remember that anyone can embark on an apprenticeship, regardless of their age or what stage they are within their career. Apprenticeships provide opportunities for those who may want to make a career change, enhance their skills or try something new.

What’s your background, and what were you doing before the apprenticeship?

I’ve worked in IT and business support for almost 5 years, but I actually have a Sociology & Criminology degree from the University of Nottingham!

Despite my time at university not being IT-orientated, my hobbies always have been, which gave me the necessary skills to take up a full time IT support role. I worked for Attivo as an IT Technician for about six months before starting my apprenticeship.

What made you take up an apprenticeship – was it always going to be IT related?

With my degree not being IT related, but at the same time wanting to further my career, it was important to me that I broadened my knowledge and gained relevant qualifications for my field.

Not only does an apprenticeship give me a wider scope to learn from and covers areas of IT that I don’t do in my day to day, it also helps establish my position in the industry in a way that employers recognise. I consider it, ultimately, to be a formalisation of my experience.

What advice would you give to someone interested in doing an apprenticeship?

To go for it! There are so many apprenticeships for all sorts of skills starting at various levels. It’s definitely not just for fresh school leavers, it’s for everyone wanting to skill up.

You also don’t have to be solely an apprentice; I work full time and my apprentice hours are considered ‘off the job’ – meaning that I have dedicated time in my working week to spend learning.

In that way, my apprentice learning is supported by Attivo, allowing me to work full time and meet the required hours for my course.

What have you had the opportunity to do, and what have you learnt that you wouldn’t have otherwise?

Something that comes to mind is the learning I’ve done on Linux virtual machines in configuring networks, setting up ssh connections, and file sharing. We only use Windows and IOS at Attivo, so it’s a great opportunity to be able to learn more about other operating systems and be able to support them.

Tell us about your role, what does a typical day look like?

I have a few daily tasks that I check off in the morning: I check malware reports, server updates and backups, check that laptops are receiving updates to software and so forth, but after that no day is every really typical.
Being in a support role means that we’re always reacting to the day to some extent, whether that’s answering tickets and teams calls or working on getting equipment out.

What three words would describe the day-to-day life of an apprentice?

Usually quite productive.

Do you have a goal or aim once you’ve completed your apprenticeship?

The overall aim of my apprenticeship is to be brought up to 3rd line support level, as I currently work a 1st/2nd line position. Ultimately, I want to be able to skill up into a sys-admin role.

What was the process of starting the apprenticeship?

I was already employed by Attivo when I started my apprenticeship, but my manager Ian was instrumental in finding the right course and making the case for the funding that goes with it.

I knew I wanted to take a course, but it was hard to know where to start or where to look. Thankfully Ian was familiar with Firebrand, the institution I’m doing the apprenticeship with, so he was able to provide me with resources and choose the right one for the path I want to take.

I didn’t have to interview for it, just had to prove that I was going to get enough benefit out of the course to make it worthwhile.

Thanks, Charlotte!

It’s been great speaking to both Charlotte and Georgia this week to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, and we look forward hearing more from them as they continue their journey.

Don’t forget to check out our current vacancies, and contact us today if you’d like to get in touch.

If you’d like to explore your options for financial planning, why not talk to Attivo? Our team of Chartered Financial Planners happy to help to make the process a smooth one. Call us on 01242 585444 or clientservices@attivo.co.uk.