ICT Application Specialist

Course Overview

Type of Course and Awarding Body

Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship - City & Guilds, EDI

Level

Level Two

Level Three

What's it all about?

This apprenticeship programme is designed for new entrants in both traditional and emerging job roles where apprentices will be working with IT systems and software, such as:-

Office/Business Administration
Accounts departments
Publishing or multimedia
Sales and Marketing departments
Education and training
iHub Clerk
IT/Web Technology Officer
ICT Technician
IT Support
IT Change Assistant
IT Clerk

The framework offers a wide range of optional units that the Apprentice can study to match their particular organisational and job role requirements. Available at Levels 2 and 3, the framework is suitable for those whose main job role is to use IT applications in support of colleagues or customers in any sector or industry.

Apprentice will gain competence, skills and knowledge to work

effectively and efficiently with IT systems, communication and productivity tools and software applications. This includes the creation and amendment of many types of formatted information including documents, diagrams, spreadsheets and presentations. It also includes maintaining simple websites, using the internet to find and exchange information and using social media to disseminate information.

Level 2 should be considered where the range of software applications used is limited, or the activities to be carried out are mainly routine in nature.

Level 3 where job roles require in-depth knowledge and competence in using a range of systems and/or software applications, and to deal with non-routine and unfamiliar problems.

Progression

While it is not mandatory for an apprentice to achieve a Level 2 Apprenticeship prior to embarking upon a Level 3 programme, it may be beneficial 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.

In some instances, prior qualifications, training or experience may have equipped an apprentice for direct entry to Level 3.

Following Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, an apprentice can progress to further vocational study in their chosen sector, eg Foundation Degree. They may also progress to Further or Higher Education to take an HNC or HND programme

Entry Requirements

There are no specific qualifications required for entry on to the apprenticeship framework.

Duration

9 - 12 months approximately

Business Benefits

Recent research (e-skills UK published Technology Insights 2011) highlights that over 90% of new posts specifically require IT user skills.

In the future it is anticipated that businesses will see increased activity in the use of mobile computing applications and virtualisation, new implementation of 'Green IT', and rapid development of new technologies to support business process management. Security and data protection remain one of the key drivers for up-skilling the workforce. This all means that there will be an increasing number of jobs whose principal activity will be using IT to support their organisations’ customers, people and processes. This framework provides the apprentice with the competence, skills and knowledge to work effectively and efficiently with IT systems, communication and productivity tools and software applications.

Run On Demand?

Yes

Roll On Roll Off?

Yes

Are there any exams?

Yes, however the majority of your work will be evidenced through continuous assessment both on and off the job to record practical skills and knowledge.

You may also need to complete functional skills to give recognition for your Maths, English and IT skills (support sessions are available if you need to refresh your learning in these areas).

Course Content

What does the course involve?

Level 2

City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in IT User Skills
Functional Skills Maths level 1, English Level 1, ICT 2
Employee Rights & Responsibilities
Personal Learning & Thinking Skills

Level 3

City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in IT User Skills
Functional Skills Maths level 1, English Level 1, ICT 2
Employee Rights & Responsibilities
Personal Learning & Thinking Skills

When can I study?

You will attend specific college workshops one day per week at Achievement Training.

Course Facts

This course is run on a roll on roll off/run on demand basis, enrolments available throughout the year. . Please contact us for further information on 01752 305300 or e-mail info@cityplym.ac.uk.