IT Support with Cyber Security

Overview

This programme has been developed with support from our partners at Microsoft.

Want to launch your career in tech but don’t have prior IT experience and aren’t sure where to start?

This free 9 week skills bootcamp will help you to build your confidence in a supportive environment and land your first job in IT Support, while giving you the possibility of progressing into in-demand and high paying cyber security roles after more training.

What jobs could I do after completing the programme?

This programme trains you to become an IT Support Analyst- other job titles of recent graduates include Helpdesk Analyst and Technical Analyst.

If you choose to go onto specialise in Cyber Security, with more training you could progress to roles including Cyber Security Analyst and Penetration Tester within 5 years of starting your career in IT Support.

Who is this programme for?

This programme is open to anyone aged 19+ (on 31st August 2024) in England or anyone aged 18+ in Scotland and currently unemployed or working on a zero-hours contract.

You don’t need any qualifications or experience to apply. As a charity it is our mission to widen access to opportunities and so we encourage applications from groups under-represented in the tech industry – particularly women, those without university degrees and those aged under 35.

We are looking for learners who:

• enjoy working with IT hardware and software
• like to help people and have an understanding of good customer service
• are enthusiastic about sustaining a great career in IT

Find out more about who we seek to serve.

Learner requirements

• Aged 19+ on 31st August 2024 (England)
• Aged 18+ (Scotland)
• Resident in one of: London, West Midlands, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Scotland (please see above for specific programme location dates)
• Not currently in education, training or employment (except zero-hours contract)
• Have the legal right to work and live in the UK – visa holders should have 15+ months until visa expiry
• We do not accept Student Visas, Graduate Visas, Skilled Worker Visas and Youth Mobility Visas
• Have lived in the UK or EEA for the past 3 years (England only)
• Available full-time for the duration of the programme, and ready to start a full-time job after the programme
• You should not have significant experience in a very similar job in the past three years

What will you gain from the programme?

• It’s free! Gain all the skills you need to kickstart a career in the IT Support industry at no cost.
• Average estimated starting salary from £25-30k in IT Support progressing to £35k+ as a Network Engineer, Desktop Engineer or System Administrator
• Learn how to progress your career into high paying £60K+ cyber security positions with numerous (and growing) opportunities!
• Grow in confidence and resilience, while building your first professional network in the classroom.

What industry skills will you learn?

Technical skills

We’ll help you learn the technical skills with lots of hands-on, interactive sessions. By the end, you’ll understand:

• How to diagnose and resolve hardware and software problems across the latest technologies
• How to configure and install networks and operating systems with the right security
• How to provide excellent customer communication
• The behaviours and mindsets needed to progress to new career opportunities

Behavioural skills

In every job, there are key skills that will help you be successful and stand out as a high quality team member. We’ll help you learn how to develop the key behavioural skills that will ensure you can transition into your new career smoothly and successfully. You’ll develop skills in:

• Growth mindset
• Persistence
• Future Orientation
• Personal Responsibility
• Communication and confidence

What do we offer?

Free training. You’ll learn all you need to be successful – from the necessary technical skills skills to the employment essentials that will help you achieve your potential.

Connect with hiring employers. In the last few weeks of your programme, you’ll work with our Employability Coaches to prepare for life after your boot-camp. We’ll help prepare your CV and develop your interview skills, ready to be connected to hiring employers and to be supported in your job search. We’ll support you with every application and help you transition into working life.

Dedicated mentor support during the programme and for up to 6 months afterwards to give you the best chance of succeeding and overcoming any challenges.

Continue to receive your benefits. If you are receiving Universal Credit or other work-related benefits such as JSA or ESA, we will work with you to make sure you continue to receive these during the programme.

Program Dates

What does an IT Helpdesk Analyst do?

As a helpdesk analyst, you play a important role in companies as the first contact between the company and its customers.

You’ll be the main point of contact with customers, providing the first level of support. You handle incoming help requests and queries via email or phone and also liaise with other IT experts to provide solutions to customer problems and issues. Helpdesk analysts quickly assess every situation and determine the best course of action for the customer.

The Application Process

Ongoing benefits of Generation

A trusted network. You’ll join our ever-growing network of Generation graduates with access to continued learning and support from us.

Get involved and give back. There are many ways to get involved with spreading the Generation message once you graduate to help more people access life-changing careers.

Ongoing support. Use your new Generation network to find out about future career opportunities and troubleshoot challenges with each other.