Building Skills and Shaping Careers: National Apprenticeship Week at ITRM

At ITRM, apprenticeships have become a core part of how we build capability, strengthen our teams, and develop the next generation of local IT talent. Since launching the programme many years ago, we’ve focused on giving apprentices hands-on responsibility from day one, not as observers, but as active contributors to our Service Desk, Sales, and Marketing teams. The goal has always been straightforward: invest in people early, support them properly, and create a pathway where skills grow alongside the needs of the business. This approach has paid off year after year, shaping a workforce that is technically strong, adaptable, and deeply aligned with our values.

ITRM’s apprenticeship pathway continues to shape strong internal progression, with several success stories now embedded across the business. Former apprentices such as Zeena Amrouche, now a full-time 1st Line Technical Support Analyst, and Alex Cox, who has advanced into a 2nd Line Technical Support role, demonstrate how early investment in talent leads to long-term capability within the organisation. These aren’t isolated cases; they reflect a programme built to create real change, both for the individuals involved and for ITRM as a whole. Apprenticeships have improved workforce competency, encouraged innovation, and supported retention by giving people a clear development path from the moment they join.

Today, five apprentices are working toward their next qualifications, each contributing to different areas of the business while building the foundations of their careers. Billy Ford, having completed his Service Desk apprenticeship, is now progressing through a Sales Support apprenticeship. He currently splits his time between the Service Desk and Account Management teams as he works toward his goal of becoming a full-time Account Manager. Conor Morris, our Apprentice Information Communications Technician, is developing the technical depth needed to step into a 1st Line Technical Support Analyst role and continue progressing up the desk structure.

ITRM Apprentices Reflect on Their Time at Work

“My apprenticeship has prepared me for the future because it has helped me develop in multiple skills and gain confidence and also plenty of working experiences.”

Billy Ford, Sales Support & Technical Analyst
“The apprenticeship has been hugely valuable for my development, especially within ITRM. It has really helped solidify my passion for project management and confirmed that this is the path I want to pursue in the future, hopefully right here at ITRM.”

Noah Petrie, Procurement Coordinator
“My time in this apprenticeship so far has taught me a variety of knowledge in all areas of IT, and I am confident that after my apprenticeship, if I choose to focus or specialise on a certain area or department, I would be supported in that decision both professionally and as a learner.”

Conor Morris, Apprentice Information Communications Technician
“My apprenticeship has prepared me for the future by strengthening my technical abilities and allowing me to grow into a more confident and capable engineer. Through hands-on experience and continuous learning, I’ve gained a deep understanding of real-world systems and developed the skills needed to contribute effectively within the company.”

Cameron Smith, 1st Line Technical Support Analyst
“I’ve gained a lot of transferable skills throughout my apprenticeship. Beyond that, working in a professional environment has helped me grow and develop both personally and technically, while earning valuable qualifications in a department I’ve come to really enjoy.”

Louis Collis, Marketing Executive

In Marketing, Louis Collis has moved from a Digital Marketing apprenticeship into a Marketing Executive apprenticeship, building on his practical experience to deepen his strategic and technical skillset. Meanwhile, Noah Petrie, our Project Management Apprentice, is gaining hands-on experience across the full project lifecycle, whilst supporting the Business Operations function as he works toward a future full-time position in Project Management.

And finally, Cameron Smith, who is completing a Level 4 CompTIA Certified Systems Engineer apprenticeship, is currently working as a 1st Line Engineer on the Service Desk. He is strengthening his technical knowledge through day-to-day troubleshooting, exposure to a wide range of systems, and close support from senior engineers as he builds toward a long-term future in technical support.

The effect extends beyond internal development. By providing structured training, industry exposure, and opportunities to work directly with clients, ITRM’s apprenticeship programme contributes to a stronger local talent pool and helps address the industry-wide skills gap. Our apprentices routinely highlight the value of working in a live environment, solving real problems, supporting real users, and learning directly from experienced engineers and managers. This blend of responsibility and support is what gives the programme its impact and ensures that both the individual and the business grow together.

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, it is clear that apprentices play an important part in ITRM’s ongoing success. By giving them meaningful responsibility and an environment where they can continue developing into long-term roles, we are investing in their future as well as the future of the business. The programme continues to grow and evolve, but its purpose remains the same: to nurture talented people who will help shape the next chapter of ITRM.