Introduction
Information technology plays a central role in the efficient
delivery of local authority services. Computers are used to
store and retrieve information in almost every council department,
for example, managing a council's housing stock, tracking planning
decisions, monitoring environmental policy, making payments and
communicating across council departments. IT technicians play
a crucial part in maintaining and developing these complex computer
networks.
Work Environment
IT technicians are office based and spend most of their time
working with computers. They work 37 hours per week, but may
sometimes work a shift rota, including weekends, to provide 24-hour
technical cover.
Daily Activities
IT technicians provide technical support to individuals in various
departments of a local authority. They may provide general IT
support, or specialist technical help in particular areas.
Typical tasks include:
- installing and supporting networks of computer servers and
workstations;
- evaluating new software packages before they are introduced
into council departments;
- testing systems;
- solving general technical problems and escalate complex
problems to relevant in-house expert engineer;
- developing IT procedures for departments to use;
- providing training sessions on particular software packages
such as Word, Outlook and Excel;
- researching and developing new IT-related services for local
authority departments;
- transferring data between computer platforms.
Skills & Interests
IT technicians need to be:
- competent and confident users of IT, with a good knowledge of
computers;
- familiar with a range of computer software packages;
- good at solving problems;
- able to explain technical issues clearly;
- familiar with different operating systems and computer
languages.
Entry Requirements
Often councils will ask for proven experience working in an IT
related role. You may also need GCSEs/Standard Grades and/or
A-levels/Highers. Some councils also ask for further
qualifications depending on the job, for example a BTEC/SQA
qualification in Computing, an HNC or degree in an IT related
subject or the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL).
There may be opportunities to work towards N/SVQs or
Apprenticeships in IT related occupations.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
With experience and further qualifications there are many
opportunities for IT technicians to progress to more senior and
managerial roles. It may also be possible to move into other
IT related areas such as web development, programming or systems
analysis.
Further Information & Services
Apprenticeship information www.apprenticeships.org.uk
Computeach www.computeach.co.uk
Computer Weekly www.computerweekly.com
Computing www.computing.co.uk
E-skills UK www.e-skills.com
Institute for the Management of Information Systems www.imis.org.uk
Society of IT Management www.socitm.gov.uk
The Chartered Institute for IT www.bcs.org
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.
Careers Wales have produced a Spotlight article on careers
in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths): https://www.careerswales.com/en/spotlight-on-stem/