IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

Learning Programme Content

The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:

• Qualifications,
• Essential Skills
• On/off the job training

The total minimum credit value required for the:

Level 2 - IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals is 78 credits.

Level 3 - IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals is 114 credits.

Level 4 - IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals is 218 credits.

Entry requirements

Level 2: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

There are no entry conditions for this Apprenticeship pathway, however employers would also value achievement of the Welsh Baccalaureate or one of the listed Knowledge Qualifications for this Level 2 Apprenticeship pathway. However, it is recognised that these are not available to all prospective apprentices, so this is not an entry requirement.

The majority of apprenticeship roles within the IT and Telecoms sector require: 

• Individuals to be proactive, fast learners; able to work both in a team and sometimes alone
• The ability to focus on assisting customers and colleagues find solutions to problems
• The ability to work logically and methodically, often under pressure to set deadlines
• Good attention to detail and the ability to deliver what is required, when it is required
• Individuals to be open to change and focus on the requirements of the business at all times

Roles in areas, such as Software and Web Development would suit individuals who: 

• Have an interest in design and creativity, with good attention to detail
• Have a mathematical or analytical mind
• Have good logical reasoning and problem solving skills

Roles in IT Services would suit individuals who:

• Are able to analyse and solve problems
• Have an interest in both hardware and software
• Enjoy working to deadlines and under pressure

Roles in Technical Sales and Consulting would suit individuals who:

• Have a broad knowledge of technology
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and are comfortable presenting to others

Level 3: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

There are no additional entry conditions to for this Apprenticeship pathway, all the general entry principles as stated in the Level 2 pathway also apply to this Level 3 pathway.  

There are no formal additional requirements for Apprenticeships, but many employers will require 5 GCSEs (A*-C) or an equivalent qualification when applying for the programme.

Employers would also value achievement of the Level 2 IT Diploma (for 14-19 year olds) or one of the listed Knowledge Qualifications for the Level 3 pathway. However, it is recognised that these are not available to all prospective apprentices, so this is not an entry requirement.

Level 4: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

There are some additional entry conditions to for this higher Apprenticeship pathway, all the general entry principles as stated in the Level 2 pathway also apply to this Level 4 pathway. 

In addition to the generic entry conditions stated at Level 2, candidates wishing to enter a Higher Apprenticeship will need to have achieved one of the following:

• A Levels, or equivalent educational attainment, including the Level 3 IT Diploma, Welsh or International Baccalaureate or a relevant Level 3 Technical Certificate
• An Apprenticeship (Level 3)
• Employment within the technology/telecommunications industry for a number of years and demonstrated to their employer that they have a reasonable expectation of achieving the required outcomes of the Higher Apprenticeship. This can be supported by the demonstration or evidence of prior achievement or performance in the role prior to starting the Higher Apprenticeship.

 Potential apprentices should bear in mind that a Higher Apprenticeship combines the challenges of higher-level education with full-time employment, and should be prepared for the greater volume and level of study than in the Apprenticeship or another Level 3 qualification.

Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)

Level 2: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

Level 2: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

60 credits for competence and knowledge

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Level 2  Apprenticeship is 310.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 3: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

Level 3: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

96 credits for competence and knowledge.

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Apprenticeship is 510

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Level 4: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals

Level 4: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Qualifications

Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.

Essential Skills Wales (ESW)

Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh

On/Off the Job training

On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

200 credits for competence and knowledge

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals Higher Apprenticeship is 1010.

On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

None

Progression

Progression from this Level 2 Level 2 Apprenticeship in: IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals :

While it is not mandatory for an apprentice to achieve a Level 2 Apprenticeship prior to embarking upon the Apprenticeship programme, it may be beneficial in some cases to begin at Level 2 as some of the fundamentals of an IT business and core technical skills need to be learned at a basic level before more advanced IT skills and techniques can be effectively applied in the workplace.

Having completed a Level 2 Apprenticeship Pathway, apprentices may then progress on to a Level 3 Apprenticeship – or continue to work and undertake a range of professional job-specific qualifications and training.

Some apprentices may elect to continue their technical studies and embark upon job-specific professional/vendor qualifications (for example: with Microsoft, Cisco, Oracle, VM Ware or CompTIA).

Progression on to the Level 3 and Level 4 Pathways would be recommended to enable the achievement of further nationally recognised qualifications and technical training, whilst remaining in employment.

Progression from this Level 3 Apprenticeship in IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals:

The Level 3 Apprenticeship programme offers successful apprentices the opportunity to further progress in their studies and go on to undertake a related IT degree programme. They could select from Bachelors degrees, Level 2 degrees, Higher Nationals or another higher level qualification, in areas such as Computing, Business Information Systems, IT or Telecommunications. Apprentices may also elect to continue within their job role and pursue their learning by undertaking additional technical, business or managerial level training and qualifications.

Apprentices who have completed a Level 3 apprenticeship programme have often progressed within their career to take on team leader or senior level positions, utilising their expanding technical expertise – and guiding and training others within the organisation.

Progression from this Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship in IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals:

Following the completion of the Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship pathway, successful apprentices will be able to follow up on their Level 2 Degree studies and continue on to complete a full Honours degree programme.

Other industry recognised, role-specific qualifications:

• Project Management training and accreditation (PRINCE2, MSP, PMI, APM and Agile)
• Service Management training and accreditation (ITIL, SDI and ISO/IEC 2000 training)
•  Management and Personal Development Training
• A wide range of vendor and core technology training – leading to industry recognised qualifications.

Some qualifications entitle membership of a professional organisation, offering networking and career advancement opportunities.

For example, becoming a member of a professional organisation:

• The British Computer Society (BCS)
• The Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• The Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP)

 Other progression opportunities may include further learning in other business area, such as finance, business or sales. The Level 3 Apprenticeship programme offers successful apprentices the opportunity to further

Equality and diversity

It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.

The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.

Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics

The IT & Telecoms Apprenticeship Pathway offers no barriers to entry and intends to accommodate all learners regardless of gender, age, disability or ethnic origin.

This Apprenticeship pathway is primarily designed to help new entrants into the IT & Telecoms workforce, thereby ensuring fair access for all that apply for the programme.

We expect employers and training providers to comply with the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to, and progression within the sector

The following section is included to identify current workforce demographics.

GENDER EQUALITY

Gender imbalance remains a significant issue for the IT & Telecoms sector. Considering IT & Telecoms professional job roles across all sectors, there has been a drop of female representation from 22% in 2001 to 17% in 2009. This compares to the overall UK workforce being 45% female.

As is the case in industry, gender imbalance is prevalent across IT-related courses, and this is worsening over time throughout the education system. 15% of applicants to Computing degree courses are female and whilst the absolute number of females taking Computing A-level has fallen again, the proportion has stabilised at 10% of those sitting in 2009.

This under-representation of women across the whole IT & Telecoms sector has a number of causes including:

• a lack of awareness (by both individuals and career advisors) of the broad range of career opportunities available
• confusion in school teaching of ICT between IT User and IT professional roles

AGE OF WORKFORCE

Analysis of the period 2001-2009 shows a changing trend in the age profile of IT & Telecoms professionals. The proportion of people aged 16-29 has dropped from 33% in 2001 to 22% in 2009.

44% of IT & Telecoms professionals are now 40+, compared to 31% eight years ago. During this period, the proportions in each age category across the overall UK economy have remained stable.

A key contributory factor to this changing dynamic in IT & Telecoms is the effect of globalisation. The maintenance of strong apprenticeship programmes in the sector will be vital to ensure that this trend can be halted or reversed in the coming years, thereby ensuring that the sector has the pipeline of skilled professionals that it requires to move into higher level job roles in 5-10 years’ time.

ETHNICITY AND DISABILITY

The ethnic mix of IT & Telecoms professionals in general mirrors that of the UK as a whole,  86% identify themselves as being ‘White’ (compared to 91% for all occupations in all sectors in the UK), and 9% as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (compared to 5% for all occupations).

The proportion of IT & Telecoms professionals with a disability has shown a gradual increase over the eight year period, to 10% in 2009. This compares to 13% for all UK occupations. There is significant provision for individuals with disabilities throughout the IT & Telecoms sector with many, varied opportunities for rewarding careers at all levels. This in turn means that apprenticeships are available in a wide range of areas for those with differing levels of disability

Employment responsibilities and rights

Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory.  But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.

However ERR is a requirement for these 3 pathways and confirmation of an Apprentice’s ERR achievement will still remain a requirement for Apprenticeship certification purposes. 

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the Training Provider and Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.

Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government

DfES-ApprenticeshipUnit@gov.wales

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