Robbie Stanley moved into Learning Technologist (Apprentice)

I started the Traineeship in August 2023. I chose the Cyber Security pathway as I found it the most interesting, and enjoyed how hands-on a lot of the course was, both in terms of the hardware component (what does this wire/port do and how do you stop the computer from blowing up) and the psychology/educational element (training members of an organization about the risks of social engineering etc.).

I most enjoyed the wide breadth of the course and its direct relevance to the job of IT technician. The course and practice resources were very thorough, covering Network+, Security+ and Cisco CCNA, so by the time it came to taking the exams for the basic CompTIA A+ Hardware and Software I felt very well prepared.

My current role is Learning Technologist Apprentice at Eltham College Family of Schools, a small group of independent schools in South East London including Eltham College Junior and Senior schools and Blackheath Prep. Learning Technology is the intersection of IT and Teaching and Learning, so my role comprises aiding IT support and being the visible, go-to person for classroom technology, helping troubleshoot existing tech and setting up and training staff with new tech. It’s a 3-year training programme with the apprenticeship component facilitated by Primary Goal. It feels like a very appropriate role for me given my past experience in education (I have QTS and have tutored and taught the cello for many years) and recent IT tech training with IT Career Switch (passed the CompTIA A+ last August). It’s also an exciting and challenging time to be joining the schools, as my fellow apprentice and I have been brought in by the new head of IT and digital strategy to help with digital transformation and dramatically changing the model of how IT works. I will continue to focus on cyber security but EdTech is a huge and fascinating industry, so I am excited to see where this could lead.