IT Solutions Development and Support

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 3 - IT Solutions Development and Support is 114 credits.

Level 4 - IT Solutions Development and Support is 168 credits.

Entry requirements

Level 3: IT Solutions Development and Support

Learners should possess qualifications (or equivalent experience) at the levels at or immediately below the level of the award. For example, candidates may have a qualification at CQFW levels 2,3 or 4. In particular qualifications at these levels in Mathematics would be an advantage.

Alternatively, candidate may have successfully completed an Apprenticeship at CQFW Level 2 or 3. There is no absolute requirement that learners possess Computing or IT qualifications prior to undertaking this pathway, however given the cognitive demands of the underpinning qualification, it is unlikely that candidates will successfully complete without some knowledge and experience of computers and/or demonstrable intellectual skills at an appropriate level.

The majority of employers in this area require candidates who are:

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

Applicants should have a keen interest in digital technologies and some experience in building and maintaining a web presence.

Level 4: IT Solutions Development and Support

In addition to the General entry requirements, 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 3: IT Solution Development and Support

Level 3: IT Solution Development and Support Qualifications

Participants must achieve the combined qualification below

Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification

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 - Agored Cymru Level 3 Diploma in IT Solution Development (Combined).

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the IT Solutions Development and Support Apprenticeship is 600.

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 Solutions Development and Support

Level 4: IT Solutions Development and Support Qualifications

Participants must achieve the combined qualifications below

Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.

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)

150 credits for competence and knowledge - Agored Cymru Level 4 Diploma in IT Solution Development (Combined).

The total amount of learning hours which includes both on and off-the-job training for the IT Solutions Development and Support Higher Apprenticeship is 1500.

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

• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Communication
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
• 6 credits / 60 GLH Level 3 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy

Other additional requirements

None

Progression

Progression from this Level 3 Apprenticeship in: IT Solutions Development and Support

The Level 3 Apprenticeship programme offers successful apprentices the opportunity to further progress in their studies and go on to undertake a related degree programme. They could select from Bachelors degrees, Foundation degrees, Higher Nationals or another higher level qualification. 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 Apprenticeship in IT Solutions Development and Support:

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

Or 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 are also available.

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)

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 Solutions Development and Support Pathways offer no barriers to entry and is intended to accommodate all learners regardless of gender, age, disability or ethnic origin.

The learning content required for the off-the-job learning can be delivered in a number of different learning styles to accommodate learner requirements.

Employers and training providers are expected 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, using the protected characteristics.

The following sections are included to identify current workforce demographics. (Data refers to the UK as a whole and to the whole of the IT & Telecoms sector of which Information Security is a part)

GENDER EQUALITY

Gender imbalance remains a significant issue for the IT sector. This under-representation of women 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

ETHNICITY AND DISABILITY

The Information and communication technologies industry is one of the most ethnically diverse industries in the UK.

There is significant provision for individuals with disabilities throughout the IT 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.

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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