An IT Hardware and System Support Foundation Apprentice has successfully uploaded a Modern Apprenticeship role as a result of a recent work placement.
Toby Bryson (18) a former Wallace High School pupil from Causewayhead, Stirling starts his MA at ComTech IT based in the Back O’ Hill Industrial Estate in his hometown in September 2021.
Toby, pictured centre, said: “This course has certainly opened doors for me. On the second year of the course, you start a work placement, in an area near you. Along with two other apprentices I started a placement at ComTech IT and am now working with them on a summer internship. I hope to start a Modern apprenticeship with them in September.
“A Foundation Apprenticeship course in IT Hardware and System Support would suit anyone interested in computers and technology. It is the practical side to technology so it’s not coding and programming. You could come into this course without much knowledge and still be able to excel. You attend the course on two half days during your school week and the way of learning at college suited me better. In the second year you get on-the-job training one day per week. This course has helped me to get a job and clear focus for the future which is far more than I could have imagined from a college course. The experience should help those completing the FA to get a job in the IT industry.
“In fourth year, I wasn’t confident about getting the best grades in my Highers, and taking a course over two years without traditional exams sounded amazing – however, there are a few tests you need to pass, so you aren’t completely off the hook!
“With all the options on offer I wasn’t sure which course would be best, but as I was building my own PC, I was interested in learning how to assemble hardware. The lecturers were great, easy to engage with, and I liked their teaching style and they treated us as adults. They created a relaxed environment to learn, and both provided me with an enormous amount of support over the course of the FA.
“Studying at Forth Valley College was a good experience for me. I was a novice when I started, and it wasn’t what I was expecting. I got a lot of support and during the first year I managed to learn about networking, security and server administration. I now hope to become a fully qualified IT Technician by completing my Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications Level with ComTech IT.”
Chris Wakefield, (pictured left) Operations Director at ComTech IT, who runs the company in partnership with Technical Director John Sanderson (pictured right), said: “The Forth Valley Foundation Apprenticeship program is great for us. When the students start they have a lot of educational knowledge but little practical experience. When they leave us they have a good understanding of the theory, alongside knowledge of how things actually work in the real world and it’s great to see the progression that the students make.
“We try to take on at least one foundation apprentice each year (workload permitting) and this year Toby impressed us with his attitude following all the Covid disruptions. He has drive which is more important to us than any IT qualifications and we expect him to be asset to our business going forward.
Iasha Craig, Foundation Apprenticeship Work Placement Coordinator at FVC, said: “I am delighted for Toby, as he has worked really hard throughout his FA and thoroughly deserves being offered a Modern Apprenticeship at ComTech IT. We can’t thank firms like ComTech IT enough, for seeing the benefits of offering our FAs work placements and vital work experience during their courses. Firms often find out that the young people involved could become assets to their business and offer them roles as paid employees, so it is a win, win for everyone.”
Forth Valley College’s range of Foundation Apprenticeships offer pupils from local schools the opportunity to help them progress towards a Modern Apprenticeship (MA) while still at school, gaining the skills and experience that employers need.
These innovative programmes, being offered in partnership with Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire schools, link senior school pupils with local employers and aims to help them to build their future careers. Upon completion of a Foundation Apprenticeship pupils can progress onto a Modern Apprenticeship, college study or a university degree.
Foundation Apprenticeships at SCQF Level 6 are available in Social Services and Healthcare; Social Services Children and Young People; Business Skills; IT Hardware System Support ; Engineering; Accountancy; Civil Engineering; Creative and Digital Media; IT Software Development; and Scientific Technologies (Laboratory Skills). FVC also offer SCQF level 4 and 5 Foundation Apprenticeships in Hospitality and Construction.
Any school pupil or parent please speak with your school deputes or contact Schools.Co-ordinator@forthvalley.ac.uk. If you are a local firm wishing to support a young person in your workplace, and what to find out more about the Foundation Apprenticeship programme at Forth Valley College should contact Iasha.craig@forthvalley.ac.uk
