Who you’ll be working for:

Co-op Academies Trust aims to provide an outstanding education for all our learners, founded on co-operative values, at the heart of the community. It is responsible for thirty-eight academies in West Yorkshire, Wirral, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent with the Co-op acting as the sponsor.

You’ll join a talented staff team and a successful partnership of schools which is committed to raising the educational ambitions of the communities it serves. As part of the Trust we can offer successful candidates a huge variety of opportunities for development and progression across all phases.

You’ll work in a welcoming, friendly, supportive, effective and efficient professional atmosphere with a flexible and creative ICT rich working environment and effective, supportive and dynamic leadership. There are excellent opportunities for personal and career development within the Co-op Academies Trust.

About the role:

Academy IT Support staff are responsible for providing day to day IT support to the chosen academy, including maintaining hardware and software used by staff and pupils, assisting and informing about the use of IT within the academy as required, ensuring equipment is set up for lessons and other educational activities and learning about supporting a modern cloud based educational IT environment and gaining relevant qualifications. e.g. Google Educator Level 1.

PLEASE NOTE: This vacancy will be split across two sites, with 3 days spent at Connell Co-op College, 301 Alan Turing Way, Manchester M11 3BS and 2 days at Co-op Academy Swinton, Sefton Road, Pendlebury, Swinton, Manchester, M27 6JU.

You will be responsible for:

• Technical IT support: Assist with the secure and safe set up/installation of new equipment, software, hardware, peripherals, upgrades and components. Mark equipment, hardware and peripherals with security codes as necessary. Set up equipment such as laptops, data projectors, interactive whiteboards, sound systems and other specialist IT equipment, ensuring that systems are ready for use and operating correctly. Provide information and assistance for teachers, pupils and other members of staff on the basic use and setting up of computer equipment, software and procedures. Understand IT acceptable use and e-Safeguarding policies and communicate to others as needed.
• Server & network support: Maintain standard network cabling. Perform basic diagnostic and recovery routines on network equipment. Follow detailed instructions to configure network clients including allocating required software and connecting to the correct server. Support the academy in adopting the Trust’s “cloud first” mindset. Perform checks to ensure that broadband connectivity is maintained.
• Maintenance: Undertake maintenance tasks and duties according to a defined schedule. Update the academy’s intranet and internal systems by uploading pages and files. Support the academy in the use of MIS systems and data transfer. Assist with the diagnosis and resolution of basic PC, printer, peripheral & software faults, including maintenance of software applications. Carry out any basic disk management on file servers and workstations, restoring data as necessary and operating specific back-up procedures. Assist with the implementation and maintenance of electronic mail accounts. Ensure that basic safety and security checks are carried out and escalate problems to the appropriate person, as per the relevant procedure.
• Administration: Complete straightforward administrative tasks associated with the role. Assist in the maintenance of an up-to-date inventory of IT assets in academy. Receive and check deliveries and associated invoices, notify the appropriate person of any discrepancies. Record loans of IT equipment. Replace consumables and monitor usage in IT areas.
• IT resource and service management: Analyse any process or technical issues, monitor and take corrective action on services as per documented operational procedures. Keep up to date with assigned tickets in the Service Desk system, updating, communicating status and closing as appropriate. Ensure that any assigned incidents and problems are fully addressed in line with service levels. Promote, seek opportunities for, and deliver continual service improvement. Escalation of incidents and requests as required within agreed Service Levels. Support procurement of IT related products and services.

Desirable skills:

• Desire to continually improve. Constantly raising the bar.
• Ability to command respect amongst business peers.
• Strong relationship-builder based upon fact-based delivery on commitments.
• Communication skills to give information to pupils, teachers and other staff on IT related issues.
• Able to use judgement to solve straightforward problems to support the operation of computers and networks.
• Awareness of potential health and safety risks and issues working with computers and electrical equipment.
• An innovative approach and high energy levels.
• Enthusiastic and action orientated.
• Able to work flexibly according to the needs of the academy between activities supporting pupil’s learning and activities supporting the smooth and effective running of the academy.
• Commitment to the team and strong team player.

Additionally, the following experience would be beneficial:

• Experience of diagnosing and correcting straightforward faults in IT hardware and software.
• Experience of working in a team and supporting others to achieve objectives complete tasks to deadlines.
• Experience of following and working to instructions, schedules and procedures.
• Experience of keeping basic records.

Entry requirements:

• 3 GCSEs (or equivalent) at grades 4+ (A-C) in any subject
• GCSE Maths and English (or equivalents) at grades 3+ (D or above)
• Prospective apprentices must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level as this apprenticeship in a similar subject

Non-standard entry with work experience:

Relevant qualifications and/or work experience will be considered for applicants with potential to benefit from the programme.

You may also have a combination of qualifications and experience which demonstrate the minimum foundation needed for the programme. In this instance you could still be considered for the programme.

If you hold international equivalents of the above qualifications, at the time of your application you must be able to provide an official document that states how your international qualifications compare to the UK qualifications.

For more information please visit the UK ENIC website.

Working hours: 37 hours per week

The company offers excellent benefits such as:

• Retail discounts.
• Reduced gym membership.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free access to a confidential 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme.

Future prospects:

90% of QA apprentices secure permanent employment after completing: this is 20% higher than the national average.

About QA:

Our apprenticeships are the perfect way to gain new skills, earn while you learn, and launch yourself into an exciting future. With over 50,000 successful apprenticeship graduates, we're a top 50 training provider, dedicated to helping you succeed.

Interested? Apply now!

Please be advised that this advert may close prior to the closing date stated above if a high number of applications are received. If you are interested in this vacancy please apply below as soon as possible.