Liam Ord tells us how the excellent reputation of NECS IT service is what drew him to start his apprenticeship with the NECS100 programme as an Apprentice ICT Customer Service Assistant, leading to his promotion to IT Project Co-ordinator.
“Before starting my role as an Apprentice ICT Customer Service Assistant with the NECS100 programme in the IT team, I had never worked in the IT sector before, but with having worked as a retail sales assistant for a few years, I had a good understanding of customer service. When I decided I wanted to work in IT, I completed a two-year BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT at college.
“I have always wanted to work in the public sector. The NECS IT team has a brilliant reputation as well as other departments, so when I saw the opportunity to join the team on an apprenticeship with the NECS100 programme, I knew this was the perfect opportunity to start my career in IT.
“My first role was working on the password line for the service desk, then an opportunity came along to assist with the Ways of Working Project. This allowed me to travel across the whole of the North East replacing old IT equipment with new equipment at all NECS bases, giving me experience on how other teams worked. Once this project was completed, I went back to the service desk, and was successful in getting a full-time role as a Service Desk Analyst, alongside completing my apprenticeship.
“My career has since progressed, I am currently on secondment as Project Co-ordinator which I wouldn’t have been able to achieve if it hadn’t been for the training and on the job experience the apprenticeship gave me.
“NECS is an outstanding place to work. The training, opportunities and career progression that it offers is excellent, and the knowledge I can gain will help massively.
“One of the highlights of being an apprentice in the NECS100 programme for me has been the opportunity to learn and develop new skills that I can apply in my day-to-day life, and also the connections and relationships I have built with colleagues during my time here.”
Find out more about the NECS100 programme or email necsu.necs100@nhs.net