In September 2023, David joined Lionel Hitchen Limited as part of the IT Support Team, embarking on his Level 3 IT Solutions Technician apprenticeship with LearnTech. With a strong desire to deepen his technical expertise and drive his career forward, David saw the apprenticeship as a perfect opportunity to gain a qualification while working in the field he loves.

“I chose to do an apprenticeship to gain extra knowledge that would benefit my role and help push my career trajectory,”

David says.

David’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. He juggled a demanding job, family responsibilities and additional studies in maths and English.

“Juggling a busy workday, home life troubles, maths and English, and apprenticeship work has been tough,“

he admits, 

“However, learning the correct terminology and diving into the wonderful world of networking has really expanded my skills in hardware, networks and maintenance.“

Despite these challenges, David made incredible progress and stayed committed to both his professional role and his academic goals, completing his apprenticeship with a Distinction.

David’s proudest moment during the apprenticeship was building a fully operational server from scratch, transforming a simple chassis into a complete backup storage solution for an internal project. It’s a clear demonstration of how he’s applied what he’s learned in real-world settings.

Looking ahead, David hopes to earn a promotion or transition into a new role as an IT Hardware Manager. He’s also set his sights on the CCNA Cyber Security Technician certification to continue building on his knowledge in networking and security.

David’s success reflects his own dedication and skill, supported by the guidance of LearnTech’s team.  

“The tutors were fantastic, easily the best I’ve ever worked with,”

he shares.

“They made the experience seamless. Kind, caring, understanding and truly amazing people.”

Lesley, David’s mentor shared,

“David was a dedicated learner who successfully transformed a personal interest into a professional career. He enrolled on the Level 3 IT Solutions Technician apprenticeship, alongside Level 2 Functional Skills in maths and English. Balancing work, study and raising teenagers wasn’t easy, but he overcame challenges successfully, recognising when he needed help and reaching out. We adapted the support provided by meeting bi-weekly, focusing on self-care and breaking down tasks into manageable steps. Together, we reviewed his portfolio, planned for exams and kept progress steady. With regular communication between myself, his manager and the English and maths teams, David had a strong support network. He passed both his English and maths exams, succeeded in all four technical exams, completed his portfolio and delivered an end project that showcased his growing expertise, achieving a Distinction. What an incredible result!”

David found the online training made the whole experience easier for him to learn and absorb information, rather than read it in a book.

Neil, David’s tutor, shared,

“David has had some trying times during his apprenticeship, but he’s overcome these and really succeeded in both his role and his learning with LearnTech.”

Lucy, from the maths and English team added,

“Despite facing significant personal challenges, Dave remained focused and committed to his learning, particularly in maths and English, where his progress has been outstanding. His resilience, determination and consistently respectful manner enabled him to excel in every aspect of his apprenticeship. He never allowed difficult circumstances to define his potential and his achievements are a true testament to his hard work and strength of character. We in the maths and English team are incredibly proud of all he has accomplished.”

For those considering a career in tech through an apprenticeship, David says,

“Do it – you won’t regret it. With tech playing such a huge role in everyday life, having a qualification in this industry is a great asset.”

And for those unsure if it’s the right time or fit,

“Ask yourself – does this benefit me? My job? My department? If the answer is yes, the rest can be worked out. LearnTech has been one of the most supportive and understanding apprenticeship experiences I’ve had. I truly value both the journey and the people I’ve met along the way.”

If you’re an organisation that would benefit from hiring a tech apprentice, explore our Employer Guide to get started, or contact us to book a no obligation ‘Information Session’. 

Alternatively, if you’re an individual inspired by David’s journey, check out our Apprentice Guide. We’re here to help, so do get in touch if you have any questions.