Breaking into the IT industry doesn’t require a traditional university route, and it definitely doesn’t require you to be a certain age. IT Support Apprenticeships have become one of the most practical and inclusive ways to start a career in technology.

From school leavers to career changers in their 30s (and beyond), apprenticeships consistently show that attitude, curiosity, and perseverance matter far more than background or previous experience.

Why IT Apprenticeships Are So Effective

IT apprenticeships are built around hands-on, real-world learning. Instead of spending years studying theory, you’re applying what you learn every day. That means:

• Supporting real users
• Fixing real problems
• Learning from real mistakes

This approach helps things click much faster. You don’t just learn what something is — you learn why it matters and how it’s used.

Jonathan explains it simply:

“There’s one thing learning the theory of something, and another thing actually putting it into practice.”

What If I Don’t Have Much Knowledge to Start With?

This is one of the most common worries, and the short answer is: that’s okay.

Apprentices are not expected to know everything from day one. A good apprenticeship is designed to teach you, not test you.

Strong programmes create environments where people feel:

• Supported
• Valued
• Comfortable asking questions

Mistakes are part of the process — they’re how you learn.

As Jonathan says:

“You’re not expected to know everything off the bat… no one is born playing Mozart.”

What matters more than what you know is how you respond when you don’t know something.

Are Apprenticeships Only for Young People?

No, not at all.

Apprenticeships are for people from all walks of life, including those changing careers later on.

Sandra, now a Web Developer, moved into tech in her 30s after working in banking:

“The apprenticeship scheme allowed me to get into the field without any prior knowledge.”

She also found that common stereotypes didn’t reflect reality:

“I thought apprenticeships were for school leavers and mainly male dominated, but that’s honestly not been my experience.”

The IT industry benefits from people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives — and apprenticeships are one of the main ways that diversity enters the industry.

Can You Progress to Management or Leadership?

Absolutely.

An IT apprenticeship is not a dead end — it’s a starting point. Many people begin in entry-level support roles and progress into senior technical, managerial, or leadership positions over time.

Jack Marshall is a clear example. He started as a Level 3 IT Support Technician Apprentice and is now an Associate Director.

“I never really envisioned myself being a director… I just wanted to be able to run one of our cloud offices on my own.”

Progress didn’t happen overnight. It came through experience, confidence, and taking on challenges:

“As the years went on, my experience grew and I got more confident.”

What Companies Actually Look for in an IT Apprentice

While technical knowledge is important, it’s not the most important thing when hiring an apprentice.

Employers are usually looking for:

• Enthusiasm and curiosity
• Good communication skills
• Willingness to learn
• Basic understanding of how computers work

Jack explains why soft skills matter so much:

“We often think it’s just behind a desk on a computer screen, but actually, the people skills are so critical.”

Having some basic IT knowledge helps — things like understanding what RAM or a CPU is — but the right mindset is what really sets people apart.

“Technical skills can be taught. Attitude can’t.”

From Technician to Leader: How Your Mindset Changes

Early in your career, your focus is on fixing problems and learning the basics. As you progress, that focus shifts.

Leadership in IT is less about having all the answers and more about:

• Helping others learn
• Encouraging problem-solving
• Supporting people through challenges

As Jack puts it:

“It’s about helping people find the answers, not just giving them.”

This mindset often starts developing during an apprenticeship, where learning how to troubleshoot, research, and persevere becomes part of daily work.

How to Get Into an IT Apprenticeship

Once you’ve decided that an IT apprenticeship is the right route for you, the next step is knowing where to look and who can support you through the process.

Most IT apprenticeships are delivered through an apprenticeship training provider. These providers work with employers to deliver the learning side of the apprenticeship, support you through assessments, and help make sure you’re developing the right skills alongside your job.

At Network, we work with Baltic Apprenticeships, who support apprentices throughout their journey — from training and development to ongoing guidance during the programme.

If you’re just starting your search, it’s also well worth checking the UK Government’s Find an Apprenticeship website. This lists live apprenticeship vacancies across the country and allows you to filter by role, location, and level.

Jonathan, one of our most recent apprentices, started his apprenticeship in his late 20s after changing careers from biomedical science to IT. As he puts it:

“It’s never too late to actually start an apprenticeship. If you’ve got the drive and the growth mindset to learn new skills, an apprenticeship can be very useful.”