Empowering Education Through People and Technology

Building the Future Digital Workforce

Apprenticeships allow Computeam to grow talent aligned directly to the needs of schools. 

By developing apprentices from the ground up, Computeam ensures its teams understand the technology being delivered and the unique challenges, safeguarding requirements and operational realities of educational environments. 

Through digital apprenticeships, Computeam can: 

✓ Build future-ready teams with the exact skills schools require 

✓ Address skills shortages in IT, data, marketing, and content creation 

✓ Develop professionals who grow with the organisation and its customers 

This long-term approach strengthens service quality while creating sustainable career pathways in technology.

Meet one of our valued Computeam Apprentices

My name is Peter Emenanjo. I am a 1st Line Apprentice IT Technician here at Computeam.   

My route into an apprenticeship was quite different from that of many other apprentices. Before joining Computeam, I had an established 10-year career in the legal profession. I completed university degrees and ultimately qualified as a solicitor. However, after a decade in practice, it became increasingly clear that continuing as a solicitor was no longer aligned with my long-term aspirations. 

I have always been technically minded, with a longstanding interest in technology. As I considered my next steps, I decided to pursue a career change into IT, as I felt it offered both personal fulfilment and unlimited opportunities for learning and growth. The breadth of the IT field particularly appealed to me, as it provides continuous development within a profession that I am genuinely passionate about. 

In early 2024, I began researching what would be required to transition into the IT sector and soon became aware of the apprenticeship route, which appeared to be the most practical and effective pathway. During this time, I learned about Now Skills as an apprenticeship provider. After completing the necessary steps to become eligible, I was offered the opportunity to apply for an apprenticeship role with Computeam. 

Gaining my knowledge 

I am fortunate to have gained significant professional experience before starting my apprenticeship and joining Computeam. As a result, I had already developed many of the soft skills expected in a professional environment.. This allowed me to transfer these skills seamlessly into my current role as a First Line Apprentice IT Technician, making the overall transition into the workplace smooth and efficient. 

While my soft skills were already well established, the majority of the technical (hard) skills required for my role were developed during my apprenticeship through three primary learning methods.

The first method is through shadowing and reverse shadowing colleagues.

This includes working alongside fellow apprentices, newly qualified technicians, and more senior team members who perform similar roles or have progressed through the same apprenticeship pathway. 

Typically, I am shown how to complete a specific task, during which I take detailed notes and screenshots to document each step of the process – a practice I have followed since joining the organisation. This enables me to learn new tasks quickly and confidently. 

Equally, I often find myself sharing knowledge with colleagues by demonstrating processes I am familiar with. As technicians each support different clients and handle varying types of tickets, everyone develops distinct areas of expertise. As such, our work is best described as a collaborative team effort, while maintaining individual responsibility for specific areas of knowledge.

The second learning method is a structured learning set by my tutor at Now Skills.

This learning is agreed collaboratively and is typically aligned with the tasks I am undertaking in my role. For example, I am currently completing an 11-hour intermediate PowerShell scripting course through LinkedIn Learning. This category also includes the Masterclasses delivered as part of my apprenticeship. 

These courses usually run over four to five days and cover curriculum topics that directly relate to my day-to-day work. While masterclasses are delivered in a classroom-style setting alongside other apprentices and are therefore less personalised than tutor-led learning, they provide valuable in-depth knowledge. Examples of masterclasses I have completed include Projects and Collaboration and Cloud Technologies.

The third method of learning is self-directed study.

This is guided entirely by me and typically focuses on tasks I am currently working on or areas where I have identified a need for further development. These learning needs are often highlighted through practical work or during research undertaken to resolve active tasks. 

At this stage of my apprenticeship, my learning process usually begins with self-study before progressing to shadowing or reverse shadowing colleagues. Earlier in my apprenticeship, this process was often reversed. As my experience has increased, I have developed greater confidence in researching and implementing solutions independently. 

However, there are occasions where seeking a second opinion or asking a colleague to sense-check my approach is beneficial. Overall, this reflects the natural progression of an apprenticeship, where increased experience leads to greater autonomy, self-sufficiency, and confidence in the role. 

Outcome and moving forward

I’m very happy working here at Computeam, and I’m even happier that they chose me as the successful candidate. I believe Computeam is one of, if not the, best apprenticeship providers in the IT category.

I’m approximately 50% through my apprenticeship, and I’m looking forward to a long and happy career here once the programme is complete. I’m also continuing to learn while I continue my apprenticeship journey.

In terms of my career goals, I want to gain as much experience as possible in the 1st Line role. I hope to progress towards a 2nd Line position once I have the experience and an opportunity presents itself.

I would like to thank Shirin, who is part of the People team, for everything she does to create a positive working environment and support continued learning.