This apprenticeship equips individuals with a wide breadth of skills to include technical competencies such as:
• Designing simple networks from a well-defined specification applying security products and processes
• Installing and configuring network components
• Optimising the performance of network systems and services
• Monitoring, testing and adjusting network systems
• Applying diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the causes of network performance issues
• Applying structured approaches to troubleshooting network issues and repair faults in hardware
• Undertake system upgrades to network hardware, software and operating systems
• Integrate network related software into an existing network environment
• Log and respond to network service calls and provide technical network support to end users as required
• Documenting work done
• Operate within the parameters of service level agreements, standards and / or agreed response times
• Operate effectively in the business environment and respond to business issues related to network engineering
Technical knowledge and understanding skills such as:
• Understand and apply the principles of networking, protocols and associated technologies (specifically this should include the latest published versions of OSI layer model, IP, TCP/IP, routing and switching, WANs, LANs)
• Understand and apply the applied maths required to be a network engineer (e.g. algorithms, data, binary, probability and statistics)
• Understand the causes and consequences of system failure including load balance and storage protocols and responds appropriately
• Understand the architecture of a typical business IT system including hardware, OS, server, virtualisation, middleware and applications
• Understand and responds to security threats, firewalls and vulnerabilities
Underpinning skills, attitudes and behaviours such as:
• Logical and creative thinking skills
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• An ability to work independently and to take responsibility
• Using own initiative
• Develop a thorough and organised approach
• Develop an ability to work with a range of internal and external people
• Develop an ability to communicate effectively in a variety of situations
• Maintain productive, professional and secure working environments
