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This occupation is found in organisations, large and small, in all sectors, and within public, private and voluntary organisations.
Organisations increasingly rely on computer and communications systems in all areas of their operations and decision-making processes. It is therefore crucial to ensure the optimal performance and maintenance of systems. An Information Communication Technician (ICT) is critical to achieving this.
The broad purpose of the ICT occupation is to deliver efficient operation and control of the IT and/or Telecommunications infrastructure (comprising physical or virtual hardware, software, network services and data storage) either on-premises or to end-users provisioned as cloud services that is required to deliver and support the information systems needs of an organisation.
The occupation includes contributing to the preparation for new or changed services, operation of the change process, the maintenance of regulatory, legal and professional standards, the building and management of systems and components in virtualised and cloud computing environments and the monitoring of performance of systems and services in relation to their contribution to business performance, their security and their sustainability.
The Information Communications Technician makes their contribution through the application of infrastructure management tools to automate the provisioning, testing, deployment and monitoring of infrastructure components.
An Information Communications Technician (ICT) provides support to internal and/or external customers, by using tools or systems to problem solve and trouble-shoot routine and non-routine problems. This occupation supports clients/customers with their systems. They achieve this through monitoring and maintaining the systems and/or platforms to maximise productivity and user experience.
An ICT could be installing and configuring computer systems, diagnosing hardware and/or software faults, solving technical and applications problems, either remotely or in person. Some examples of these issues are slow performance, connection problems, and an inability to access data.
The work of an ICT involves undertaking a vast array of specialist roles supporting business critical requirements and focus on customer solutions. Networking, Server, IT Essentials, Secure Communications, programming, and databases are just an example of typical tasks and projects undertaken within the likely areas of employment.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide variety of internal or external users of digital systems, through digital channels, remotely and/or face to face.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for prioritising systems support tasks as they arise and for monitoring and maintaining system performance. They may work alone or as part of a team but will escalate problems in line with their organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements. For example, if the task may not be completed on premise, it may have to be referred to an external specialist.
The Support Technician role is desk based resolving system user queries and resolving faults in a helpdesk environment. For example, a Support Technician in a Travel Agent would use a system to manage their customer bookings and when the system fails it needs rectifying rapidly in order to reduce the financial impact and damage to customer reputation. The business would contact a Support Technician to report the problem and either get it fixed or escalated to an engineer.
A Network Technician role is usually desk based but may involve visits to client’s premises to resolve issues. For example, a Network Technician working in a university or a college they may be installing a computer lab as a training suite including cabling and hardware requirements. They may be required to install cloud services to support a business expansion and provide better network services.
In a contact centre environment, they may use network management tools to collect and report on network load and performance statistics to improve commercial outcomes.
In a retail bank they may contribute to the implementation of maintenance and installation work using standard procedures and tools to carry out defined system backups, restoring data where necessary.
A Digital Communications Technician may be desk or field-based resolving faults and issues with communications systems. For example, working in a defence organisation operates as an Online Network Technician they would be at the heart of every mission solving complex issues, enabling the secure exchange of mission critical and often Top-Secret information. It would be their responsibility to administer and provide specialist communications and IT equipment including classified information and cryptographic material to guarantee Operational Capability is delivered to the Command.
A digital communications technician working for a large telecom’s organisation could be involved in the build, test and integration of end-to-end customer solutions to support customer order delivery. Not to mention the build, test and maintenance of core and mobile radio access networks, working with both internal and external customers.
A digital communications technician working for a large telecom’s organisation could be involved in the build, test and integration of end-to-end customer solutions to support customer order delivery. Not to mention the build, test and maintenance of core and mobile radio access networks, working with both internal and external customers.
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Duty 1 Provide technical support to customers both internal and external through a range of communication channels |
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Duty 2 Establish and diagnose ICT problems/faults using the required troubleshooting methodology and tools |
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Duty 3 Interpret technical specifications relevant to the ICT task |
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Duty 4 Apply the appropriate security policies to ICT tasks in line with organisational requirements |
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Duty 5 Undertake the relevant processes with the relevant tools and technologies to resolve ICT technical issues |
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Duty 6 Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, talking them through steps to take to resolve issues or set up systems, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation and expectations |
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Duty 7 Apply appropriate testing methodologies to hardware or software or cabling assets |
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Duty 8 Practice guided continuous self learning to keep up to date with technological developments to enhance relevant skills and take responsibility for own professional development |
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Duty 9 Document or escalate ICT tasks as appropriate to ensure a clear audit trail and progression of issues |
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Duty 14 Complete cabling tasks for example coaxial, copper, fibre or remotely. |
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Duty 18 Install and commission computer or telecoms hardware |
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Duty 19 Maintain computer systems or telecommunications networks |
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Duty 20 Research solutions to maintain network communication architectures |
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Duty 21 Monitor and report telecommunications or communications systems performance to enable service delivery. |
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K24: Principles of OSI layers
Back to Duty
K37: Basic elements of network communication architectures for example, hardware, software, protocols and connection mediums.
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K38: awareness of the purpose of firewalls
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K39: different types of connectivity and cabling for example physical and remote
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K40: awareness of network protocols
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K41: The purpose of digital communications technologies for example, hardware, virtual and cellular technologies
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K42: Main factors affecting network performance including faults and error control
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K43: Principles of digital test and diagnostic equipment usage
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K44: Basic principles of VPN and Remote Access Security for example transmission technologies
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S17: Carry out routine maintenance across systems, (such as IT, Communications), ensuring organisational compliance at all times
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S19: Use a range of Cabling or Connectors equipment in line with technical requirements for example physically or remotely
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S28: Establish digital communication or telecommunications systems through, for example cabling and connecting equipment.
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S29: Identify a range of tools and or diagnostic equipment, for example, Hardware or Software components, to resolve Communications or Telecommunications requirements.
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S30: Undertake basic telecommunications activities, in response to an allocated task, designated responsibilities, instructions or customer’s requirements.
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S31: Use information necessary to identify operational issues and rectify or escalate accordingly in line with policy
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B1: Works professionally, taking initiative as appropriate and acting with an ethical approach
Back to Duty
B2: Communicates technical and non-technical information in a variety of situations to support effective working with internal or external stakeholders
Back to Duty
B3: Demonstrates a productive and organised approach to their work
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B4: Self-motivated, for example takes responsibility to complete the job.
Back to Duty
Awarding organisation: NCFE
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