IT support technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course in computing or IT support, like a:

• Level 2 Certificate in ICT Systems Support
• Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
• T level in Digital Support Services

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level

Apprenticeship

You may be able to get into this job by doing an advanced apprenticeship, such as:

• IT Solutions Technician Level 3
• IT Communications Technician Level 3
• Digital Support Technician Level 3

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

Work

You could get started as a trainee technician and do qualifications while you work. You'll need some IT skills to get a trainee job.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Skills:

• the ability to work well with others
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• analytical thinking skills
• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• customer service skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• the ability to use your judgement and make decisions
• the ability to work well with your hands
• broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• business management skills
• concentration skills
• a good memory

What you'll do:

IT support technicians identify and solve software and hardware problems on computers.

You could:

• take details from customers about their IT problems
• find and fix faults
• track work in progress and record issues and solutions
• update online databases
• regularly check equipment like printers, projectors and IT networks
• set up new equipment and upgrade existing systems
• teach people how to use new software, face-to-face and online

Location : You could work in an office, at a client's business or in a contact centre.

Salary:

Starter : £18,000
Experienced : £35,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

35 - 40 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could become a manager or senior IT support technician. You could teach in further education or move into technical sales.

With training, you could move to a similar job, such as:

• network engineer
• database administrator
• business analyst
• systems analyst
• IT security co-ordinator
• IT project management