This Higher Apprenticeship is a pilot programme that connects Apprenticeships to Higher Education, giving apprentices the option to take a Foundation Degree that leads on to a full honours degree. It’s a high-quality work based training and development programme made for apprentices who’ve got talent, drive and motivation.

IT jobs all have some technical content, ranging from the deep technical skills of a software developer through to project management roles where organisation skills may be more important. There are tougher requirements to get onto this Higher Apprenticeship – candidates will need to have successfully completed an Advanced Level Apprenticeship in ICT, or have their A-levels (or an equivalent qualification).

As a Higher Apprentice, you’ll take a Level 3 qualification in either IT or Communication Technology, as well as some units from Level 4. The Foundation Degree will make up the knowledge element of the Apprenticeship. You’ll learn a range of skills that are useful in the ICT industry, including customer-facing skills. After completing a Higher Apprenticeship, you could qualify for a range of professional job roles and be in a good position for progression into managerial or team leader roles. Career prospects are good as IT skills are always in demand.

The following providers offer this specialism:

East Riding College

This Apprenticeship covers work in a broad range of digital technologies that help us use and share information, such as mobile phones, computers, broadband provision, and satellite communications.

IT and telecoms jobs are no longer just about the technology. All jobs now require you to have good people skills as well as the technical skills you’ll gain during your Apprenticeship. Apprentices have the choice of focusing on either telecoms or IT. Telecoms covers broadband, mobile phones and satellite communications. It’s a fast-moving sector, so apprentices should have a keen interest in new technology. Telecoms apprentices will learn things like customer care, system security, managing software development, and basic IT applications.

The IT industry develops computer solutions that help businesses and individuals become more successful in their work. IT professionals serve customers in all types of business. They could be developing software or websites, helping companies set up new systems, or training people to use their IT facilities. IT apprentices will study software installation, communication skills and technical fault diagnosis, and gain an IT qualification from a recognised group such as Microsoft or CompTIA. The industry is looking for 142,000 new workers over the next three years, so the career prospects are excellent.

The following providers offer this specialism:

East Riding College

This Apprenticeship covers a wide range of general computing and IT skills that can be applied in many job roles and industries. It’s almost impossible to picture a world without computers – businesses would grind to a halt, information would be incredibly slow to find, and there would be loads of paper to file away.

Luckily, computers are here to stay, and each day their capabilities become more complex and powerful. That’s why IT is one of the most important industries out there. Over 20 million people in the UK use IT in their jobs, but many struggle with applications and general computing skills.

This Apprenticeship will help you develop the skills you need for your job – whether for teaching someone in finance to process account details more efficiently; helping stock controllers keep track of merchandise; or helping a secretary set up an online company diary. As an apprentice, you’ll learn how to operate computers and databases, as well as how to use and maintain IT systems and networks. IT is an increasingly important area, and whatever role you take you’ll be part of a fast-moving, ever-changing sector.

The following providers offer this specialism:

Grimsby Institute

Hull Business Training Centre

Hull College

McArthur Dean Training

YH Training