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IT Technician

Installing and fixing problems in hardware and software to keep information technology running smoothly

How this role makes a difference

Every organisation today – from schools to hospitals, banks to manufacturers – relies on IT (information technology) to share information, communicate, and collaborate. IT includes infrastructure, such as servers, and software including operating systems and apps.

The installation of new IT can transform a business, but when IT doesn’t work it causes problems. You could be the technician who fixes IT issues, improves processes, creates efficiencies, and enables new ways of working.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Testing IT systems and diagnosing issues
  • Changing system and application settings
  • Installing software and security systems
  • Training people on IT software and systems
  • Upgrading network infrastructure and software
  • Enabling remote mobile working
  • Supporting colleagues with IT issues
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Instructing others
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in technology and the ways it can improve how people live and businesses work.

Confidence using new software and apps and creating things on a computer.

A natural ability to look at a problem logically and consider all options before deciding on the best way forward.

Confidence to put what you’ve learnt into practice and teach others what you’ve learned.

The ability to analyse detailed information and organise computer files and data with precision.

This role could also be right for you if you have any of the following interests:

- gaming and technology

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

You could become a specialist who focuses on a specific network or software solution. Or you might concentrate on an individual industry, learning about the particular IT challenges it needs to solve.

With experience, you’ll also have the opportunity to move from IT support to more senior roles, perhaps in an IT consultancy or in a major organisation, moving up to an IT manager, supervisor, or director position.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:  

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

There are wide-ranging opportunities in IT: working on the front line providing IT support to colleagues or customers, or in network design and implementation, bringing new infrastructure and software to organisations that want to improve how they operate. With the growth of robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, you could also be involved in developing and maintaining high-tech manufacturing plants.

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

IT Solutions Technician
Technical Analyst
Service Analyst
IT Systems Support
IT Support Technician
IT Services Desk
Technical Service Desk

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What are your next steps?

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