Life as an Apprentice at SES Secure

Apprenticeships offer an empowering way to support young people and nurture growth on both a professional and personal level.

Our Apprentice Infrastructure Technician, Lewis, joined us in April of this year. His apprenticeship has involved him managing and maintaining hardware and software systems, such as servers, virtualisation platforms, on-premises computers and more. Lewis has been learning fundamental IT concepts which will allow him to establish a solid foundation for a career in Information Technology.  

Since his arrival, it’s safe to say that he’s been an incredibly positive addition to our team.

SES’ approach to Lewis’s apprenticeship has combined practical learning, theory, and plenty of direct industry experience. During his time with us, Lewis has been under the guidance of our Head of Technology, Tom Sweet.

This blog will explore both Lewis and Tom’s thoughts on how the apprenticeship has been going.

Meet Our Apprentice, Lewis

We sat down with Lewis and spoke to him about his apprenticeship journey. Here’s what he had to say:

Why did you decide to do this apprenticeship?

“I’ve always been interested in how computers and IT infrastructure works. For example, I was intrigued by the internet and how data can be transferred across the world so quickly and effectively. I wanted a learning style that aligned with my interests and the apprenticeship opportunity at SES seemed perfect”.

How have you found working with Tom and the rest of the SES team?

“Tom is incredibly knowledgeable and consistently goes above and beyond to be helpful. His expertise has supported me significantly. He’s good at explaining topics and simplifying complex concepts. He’s had a positive impact on my learning and has always provided me with guidance. Overall, Tom’s a great guy! As well as Tom, everyone else in the team have been fantastic to work with. The culture here is healthy and promotes growth and productivity”.

What is your technical knowledge like now compared to before?

“It’s improved vastly. I can now go into detail on IT concepts which previously seemed very complicated. Also, before I started the apprenticeship, I had a special interest in cloud computing. Initially, my knowledge on it was base level but I now have much deeper understanding of it which I’m really happy about.”

Alongside developing professionally, how has your time at SES shaped you as a person?

“In terms of personal development, I’ve improved my communication skills, social skills, and have experienced an increase in my confidence. Coming into the office and working with the team here has also supported me with becoming more organised. The experience has given me a great insight into life in the workplace”.

What advice do you have for those considering the apprenticeship route?

“Spend some time really thinking about your interests and the industries that you want to explore. If your goals can be supported by an apprenticeship provider, look at pursuing an apprenticeship opportunity. Personally, it’s been a very rewarding for me to progress both professionally and personally at such a rapid pace. The benefits of connecting with people in the workplace, elevating my confidence and bettering my communication skills have also been brilliant”.

Throughout his apprenticeship, Lewis’s determination to learn, build skills, and support others wherever possible has been outstanding. He has certainly established himself as a valued member of the team here.

The Impact of Apprentices in the Workplace

Alongside Lewis, we also spoke with our Head of Technology, Tom Sweet, who has been Lewis’s main point of guidance over the past few months. Here are Tom’s thoughts:

How have you found working with Lewis?

“Working with Lewis is great, and he is very ambitious. Lewis is often talking about his success and what he is going to do in the future which is refreshing to hear.”

How has it been to see Lewis’s growth?

“Lewis is growing fast and very keen to learn more about what we do and the technical solutions we create for our customers. He works diligently towards his apprenticeship programme and is likely to finish early due to his quick progression so far.”

What would you say to organisations that are considering bringing in Apprentices for IT support and technical roles?

“Just do it. Find the right fit for you team and get them enrolled into an apprenticeship scheme. Work with what you are comfortable with as there are plenty of training providers out there. At SES we have opted to work with Firebrand Training as they have always delivered consistent programmes and work well with our organisation and apprentices.”

In addition to Lewis’s hard work and superb attitude, the level of guidance and support provided by Tom has been exceptional. There’s plenty more to come from Lewis’s apprenticeship journey and our team are excited to see where it goes!

If you have any questions or would like some information on the services that we offer at SES Secure, please get it touch.