IT Solutions Technician Apprentice

Summary

The National Physical Laboratory -NPL -is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK. IT underpins everything here. In this work-based training programme you’ll work towards a Level 3 apprenticeship as an IT Solutions Technician.

Wage

£20,600 a year

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Training course

IT solutions technician (level 3)

Hours

Monday - Friday, shifts TBC.

36 hours a week

Start date

Friday 26 September 2025

Duration

1 year 6 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you’ll do at work

Primarily based within the Service Desk team with work experience within the Science Support, Infrastructure & Networks teams within NPL’s IT Services department. You will provide first line support to end users and scientists and support for IT projects gaining a real understanding of all aspects of IT. The role requires a high degree of team working and end user interaction to provide great customer service. You’ll also be offered training to improve your communication skills, time management, team working and presentation skills.

As a IT Solutions Technician Apprentice, you will gain experience in:

IT Service Desk providing help and support to end users on the phone, email and in person
Diagnosing, researching and resolving PC related hardware and software issues
Setting up PCs and laptops and installing software
Operating Systems – Windows/Linux
Network administration of data and VOIP systems
Administering server applications including Email, Database and backup systems
Support and administration of financial / business applications
Assisting with the delivery of projects
Microsoft Office 365 and Cloud services
Unified Communication technologies
Cybersecurity and awareness programmes
Service management and reporting

What you will bring to the role:

A professional approach to work, and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Good team working skills, demonstrating cooperation and flexibility.
Great attention to detail.
Resilience and determination to keep going at times when the work is challenging.
Good time management skills. All aspects of work will need to be delivered to the highest quality without exception and so the ability. to plan and organise. This role requires meeting coursework deadlines and attendance of lectures and observations.

Apprentices entering this role will need to practice their work within Standard Operating Procedures and comply with all policies and procedures applicable to their role. This particular role will also require the individual to meet the academic and vocational elements of the apprenticeship framework, attending where possible all lectures, exams and observations.

Where you’ll work

Npl Management Ltd, National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road
Teddington
TW11 0LW

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

HRUC (HARROW, RICHMOND AND UXBRIDGE COLLEGES)

Your training course

IT solutions technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Work at any stage of the solution lifecycle.
Interpret client requirements.
Prioritise tasks to work within agreed project plans.
Ensure resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
Design solutions to meet client and business requirements.
Identify technical solutions using creative and critical thinking.
Install hardware or software, either physically or virtually.
Search and use different types of data or information sources.
Test and evaluate performance, functionality, and usability of solutions to ensure compliance with customer and project requirements.
Deploy and implement solutions, supporting change management practices.
Create and maintain documentation in accordance with best practice and organisational requirements.
Support multiple contemporary or legacy solutions to required levels of service.
Apply organisational policies and legislation in relation to security requirements, privacy, and confidentiality.
Communicate using a variety of tools and approaches, adapting language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply continuous professional development CPD to support their own learning, business needs and technical developments.
Work at any stage of the solution lifecycle.
Interpret client requirements.
Prioritise tasks to work within agreed project plans.
Ensure resources are used efficiently and responsibly.
Design solutions to meet client and business requirements.
Identify technical solutions using creative and critical thinking.
Install hardware or software, either physically or virtually.
Search and use different types of data or information sources.
Test and evaluate performance, functionality, and usability of solutions to ensure compliance with customer and project requirements.
Deploy and implement solutions, supporting change management practices.
Create and maintain documentation in accordance with best practice and organisational requirements.
Support multiple contemporary or legacy solutions to required levels of service.
Apply organisational policies and legislation in relation to security requirements, privacy, and confidentiality.
Communicate using a variety of tools and approaches, adapting language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Apply continuous professional development CPD to support their own learning, business needs and technical developments.

Your training plan

Apprentices will be required to attend college at least x 1 day per week either at Richmond Campus completing necessary mandatory training and units associated with the apprenticeship.

Our Account Manager, industry-trained assessor and Learning Advocate support apprentices to deliver our high-quality training programmes.

The apprentice will be required to complete:

• Work towards gaining a full Level 3 IT Solutions Qualification.

• Employment Rights and Responsibilities.

• Skills, Knowledge, and Behaviours.

• Standard and End Point Assessment.

Other training will be provided by the employer as required to enable the fulfilment of the job role.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade 4-9)
Math's (grade 4-9)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Analytical skills
Team working
Initiative

Other requirements

To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance and must live within a commutable distance to Teddington (this role is based onsite).

About this company

As the UK's National Measurement Institute, NPL develops and maintains the national primary measurement standards. From new antibiotics to tackle resistance and more effective cancer treatments to unhackable quantum communications and superfast 5G, technological advances must be built on a foundation of reliable measurement to succeed.

After this apprenticeship

On completion of the apprenticeship and end point assessment could lead to you being offered a permanent position with NPL.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: