TECH APPRENTICESHIPS A guide for Candidates
OVERVIEW Tech City Stars is London s most exciting Apprenticeship for young people who want to break into the tech sector. The programme is focused around Tech City - the area of Central East London which is home to more Technology businesses than anywhere else in the UK. It s a high quality, high intensity programme that gives each candidate a year of work in a technology business as well as training in one of three technology curriculum areas. Tech City Stars work as Web Designers & Developers, Telecoms Engineers, IT Support Professionals, Software Developers, Digital Marketing Assistants and providing Operational Business Support and more.
TECH CITY The area around Old Street roundabout is known as Tech City as it s a densely populated cluster where thousands of technology companies are based. All of these companies are desperate for talented staff, but are struggling to find keen Young People who have the right skills.
WHAT DO YOU GET? Tech City Stars offers young people access to the exciting world of technology by securing jobs in some of Tech City s most forward thinking firms. Stars learn the skills required for their qualification, but are also able to learn from masters of their trade our Clients You ll get the opportunity to meet and network with leading figures in London s tech scene. We ll give you access to regular events like Tech Talks. We want you to make friends. We re friendly, and so are all of our Stars. Get involved. Need help? Our team are experienced at providing support for a wide range of issues, from student housing to personal advice.
WWW.TECHCITYSTARS.CO/APPLY To become a Star, you need to complete an application on the Tech City Stars website: techcitystars.co Go to the Apply Section to see information about the current available roles and to find the application form. Once recieved, your application is screened by our Business Development Team, and if it is accepted, you are invited to an initial interview with them. If you are successful at interview, you will be offered a place on ReBoot Camp. If at any point you need help with an application or have any questions, please contact us and we can talk you through it. Work for a school, college or training provider? We are also able to run Workshops for organisations who have more than one potential applicant. Please contact our Comms Team if you would like to arrange a workshop - matthew@ldngrp.co
REBOOT CAMP ReBoot Camp is our very own accredited pre-apprenticeship course, where you develop your employability skills before becoming a Star. It helps you make the transition from full-time education or unemployment into full-time work. It is where you first get to meet and impress employers, and a great place to showcase your talent, drive and commitment. #REBOOT CAMP #TECH CITY
THE APPRENTICESHIP It s a high quality, high intensity programme that gives each candidate a year of work in a technology business as well as training in one of three technology curriculum areas. You will work full-time, 5 days a week as well as attending two evening training sessions per week. You will have 5 hours per week in the workplace to work toward your qualifications. A Learning and Development Specialist will visit you at least once a month in your workplace to assess you. You will gain a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship for IT, Software, Web and Telecoms Professionals.
12 MONTHSPATHWAYS & *TECH OPERATIONS Core Digital Skills Microsoft applications, Project Planning, Interpersonal & Written Communication, Develop own Effectiveness and Professionalsim Option 1 - Customer Care e-commerce, Using the Internet, Customer Care in ICT, Technical Support & Guidance Option 2 - System Support IT Support, Software Installation & Upgrade, System Management, System Operations Option 3 - Creative Technologies Web development, Project Management, Imaging Software, Computer Games Development 3 MONTHS CORE BUSINESS SKILLS Knowledge Communication and Employability Skills for IT, Computer Systems, Information Systems, Impact of the Use of IT on Business Systems Competence Health and Safety in ICT, Develop own Effectiveness and Professionalism, Interpersonal and Written Communication, Presentation Software, Spreadsheet Software, Word Processing Software *Tech Operations is delivered in the workplace through monthly mini appraisals. Apprentices must complete the Core Digital Skills modules but can choose one of the three options stated.
THE CLASSROOM 9 MONTHS IT SUPPORT & NETWORKS Knowledge Managing Networks, Computer Networks, Communication Technologies, IT Technical Support, Maintaining Computer Systems, Installing & Upgrading Software, MTA - Security Fundamentals, MTA - Networking Fundamentals Competence Technical Fault Diagnosis, Working with ICT Hardware and Equipment, Security of ICT Systems, Software Installation and upgrade, System Management, Technical Advice & Guidance 9 MONTHS WEB & SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT Knowledge Software Design and Development, Organisational System Security, System Analysis and design, Project Planning with IT, Database Design, Client Side customisation of websites, Website Production, Object Oriented Programming, Web Server Scripting Competence Managing Software Development, Computer game development, Creating an Object Oriented Computer Program, System operations, Database Software, Designing and Developing a Website 9 MONTHS DIGITAL & CREATIVE Knowledge e-commerce, Relationship Marketing, Internet Marketing in Business, Website Production, Digital Graphics, Supporting Business Activity, Impact of Communications Technology on Business, Multimedia Design. Competence Project Management Software, Using Email, Using the Internet, Imaging Software, Designing and Developing a Website The Core Business Skills modules are compulsory, but then the course allows Apprentices to specialise in either Web and Software Development, ICT Support & Networks or Digital & Creative to match their role.
TECH TALKS Working in partnership with O2 Think Big, we deliver Tech Talks as a supplementary part of the Apprenticeship. Our aim is to bring young people like you closer to the tech industry and it is also an opportunity for them to network with like-minded people, current and past Apprentices and of course the whole team at Tech City Stars. This bi-monthly event gives you the opportunity to listen and learn from Tech Leaders at some of the most innovative tech companies in London. GET INVOLVED Want to attend a Tech Talk? We would love to have you meet and listen to some employers in the tech industry. You can attend even if you are not a star! Visit our website to register - techcitystars.co
ENRICHMENT SESSIONS We are constantly striving to improve the quality and relevance of what we deliver for our Clients and Apprentices. We have an extremely diverse and exciting range of clients and in each of these organisations there is a huge amount of very valuable knowledge. Each of the Apprentices working in an organisation benefits from its pool of knowledge daily. The idea behind the enrichment programme is to share some of the most exciting and relevant pieces of organisational knowledge with apprentices from other organisations. By sharing in this way, we believe that we will help to further develop the skills and knowledge of each Apprentice, give them greater perspective and hopefully help them to become even more effective in the workplace.
PAY & BENEFITS Minimum pay is 200 per week. You can get an Apprenticeship Oyster Card, which will entitle you to 1/3 off travel with TFL. As an Apprentice, you are eligible for an NUS card, which gives you the same benefits and discounts as a University student. Tech City Stars will do everything possible to secure any other funding for you if you re eligible for it. At the end of the 13 months most Tech City Stars are offered a permanent job with their employer (this is not guaranteed, as you need to prove yourself in the workplace too!).
What if I fall behind? Our Learning and Development Specialists are always on hand to support you with your studies to help you stay on track. If necessary, we will invite you to our offices for a day or so (depending on how long is needed), in order to help you to complete your coursework. What do I need to be able to do the course? You will need to be aged 16-23, have the right to work, have no level 4 or higher qualifications, and you will need to have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years. What are the entry requirements? You will need to have completed a level 1 qualification at the very least. You will also need to complete an initial assessment to make sure you are signed up to a course at the right level for you. What if I don t like my job? Sometimes, there are a few teething problems when you start your Apprenticeship, but it is very rare that an Apprentice dislikes where they work. However, we are always available to help you resolve any issues that arise and ensure that you get the most out of the programme. What if I lose my job? Again, this is very rare, but we will support you in choosing the best course of action that the circumstances demand. We will do all we can to help you finish the course.
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TECHCITYSTARS.CO // HELLO@TECHCITYSTARS.CO // @TECHCITYSTARS // TECH CITY STARS LTD South London: Lansdowne, 278 South Lambeth Rd, London, SW8 1UJ // 0203 675 2170 Central London: Aldgate East, 38-40 Commercial Road, London, E1 1LN // 0203 327 9570 Tech City Stars Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales (Company Number: 08530139) with its registered address at Lansdowne, South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1UJ