ICT Programmes

If you are looking to pursue a career within the I.T. industry then ITEC can offer you the start you will need to reach your career goals. We are one of the leading providers of I.T Apprenticeships in the area and have helped hundreds of young people gain their first positions within the I.T. Industry.

So what can you expect to be doing during your Apprenticeship? The answer is easy, everything! You will be observing, helping and working as part of a team. You will be learning how to do the things that you would normally only read about in a classroom environment. An I.T Apprenticeship enables you to gain knowledge and experience by working alongside I.T professionals in a real working environment.

Picture the scene… the server has crashed, the phone lines are jammed with users wanting to know why they can’t access the network… Ok, so you’re not going to be single-handedly dealing with the problem, but you will be there in the thick of things helping and observing. You may be part of the team that gets the server back up and running or helps supply vital information to the users to keep them informed of progress. Not only will you be learning how to deal with the problems you will also be experiencing them and everything that goes with them first hand.

The I.T. Apprenticeship covers all the different and changing areas of I.T. including software development and web design. Our Apprentices work in a variety of different roles from shops selling and building computers through to Schools and colleges and I.T. departments within large companies.

Most apprentices will start with a Level 2 programme as they are new to the industry. A Level 3 programme requires you to have ideally 18 months experience within an IT role. The Level 3 programme is called Apprenticeship+ and combines a Level 3 NVQ with vendor qualifications, the majority of our apprentices do both a Level 2 and Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Information Technology Qualifications (NVQ's)

ITQ's available with ITEC
The ITQ's in Information Technology have a large range of units available to customise the qualification to fit the needs of the apprentice and the needs of the job they're doing. There are 4 ITQ's available with ITEC:-
•   IT Users level 2
•   IT Users level 3
•   IT Practitioners level 2
•   IT Professionals level 3
There is a set of 'pick and mix' units, called Area of Competence (AoC's), for each ITQ available. Each level has one or two mandatory AoC's followed by the list to choose from.
Making up an individual ITQ
An individual ITQ is made up by selecting the AoC's that match the apprentice's job specification. Each AoC states what is required for each level of competence and each level is given a unit value (UV) or number of points. For example, the AoC "Develop personal and organisational effectiveness" is worth:-
•   15 points at level 2
•   25 points at level 3
To make up an ITQ, you need to select the units required from the list and add up the points to the level of award that you want to achieve.
•   130 points = NVQ level 2
•   180 points = NVQ level 3
Please note: the IT User apprenticeship framework requires the apprentice to achieve 130 points for the IT User ITQ. The ITQ practitioner framework also requires 130 points unless the apprentice achieves the City & Guilds Diploma for IT Practitioners (ICT Support Systems) at level 2, which is usually covered as part of the ITEC's apprenticeship pathway training.
Guidelines when selecting the contents of the ITQ
There are some mandatory units and these must be done at the required ITQ level. For example, IT User has a mandatory unit "Make selective use of IT" and this must be done at the level 2 requirements to achieve 25 points towards a level 2 ITQ.
60% of the points must be selected from the ITQ level (including the mandatory units). The balance of 40% can be mixed from other levels.

A maximum of 2 units only can be selected from the 'pick and mix' lists that are marked "Restricted units".

Example of a level 2 ITQ for IT Practitioner

AoC's	Level	Points*

*Developing personal and organisation effectiveness	2	15
Technical fault remedy selection	2	15
Testing ICT systems	2	20
Software installation and upgrade	2	20
		-----
		70	%)**
		-----



***** Health and safety in ICT	1	5
Technical fault diagnosis	1	10
Technical advice and guidance	1	5
System operation	1	10
		-----
		30	%)
		-----

*Units available for the ITQ for Users*

*Unit Title*	*Unit values*
*Unit Title*	*Level 1*	*Level 2*	*Level 3*
* Make selective use of IT	15	25	35
Operate a computer	10	20	30
IT trouble-shooting for users	5	15	25
IT maintenance for users	5	15	25
IT security for users	5	15	25
Internet and intranets	5	15	25
E-mail	5	15	25
Word processing software	10	20	30
Spreadsheet software	10	20	35
Database software	10	20	35
Website software	10	20	35
Artwork and imaging software	10	20	35
Presentation software	10	20	30
Specialist or bespoke software	10	20	30
Evaluate the impact of IT	5	15	25
* denotes mandatory unit

*Units available for the ITQ for Professionals/Practitioners*

*Unit Title*	*Unit values*
*Unit Title*	*Level 1*	*Level 2*	*Level 3*
* Health & Safety in ICT and contact centres	5	-	30
* Develop personal and organisation effectiveness	5	15	25
Customer care	10	20	30
Data analysis and data structure design	-	15	25
Interpersonal and written communication	5	15	30
Investigating and defining requirements	-	20	30
Managing software development	-	-	30
Quality management of ICT products and services	-	-	30
Remote support for products and services	10	20	30
Security of ICT systems	5	-	30
Software development – component creation	-	20	30
Software development – design	-	25	35
Software installation and upgrade	10	20	30
System management	-	15	30
System operation	10	20	30
Technical advice and guidance	5	15	30
Technical fault diagnosis	10	20	30
Technical fault remedy selection	5	15	25
Testing ICT systems	10	20	30
User profile administration	-	15	25
Working with ICT hardware and equipment	10	20	30