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T Levels focus on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an in-depth industry placement that lasts at least 45 days. Students get valuable experience in the workplace; employers get early sight of the new talent in their industry.
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 10 Install and configure relevant software and hardware as appropriate for example: mobile apps, printers, projectors, scanners and cameras. |
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Duty 11 Address IT issues by prioritising in response to customer service level agreements |
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Duty 12 Administer security access requirements and permissions for stakeholders escalating as necessary for example password resets |
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Duty 13 Support the roll out of upgrades or new systems or applications |
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Duty 14 Complete cabling tasks for example coaxial, copper, fibre or remotely. |
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Duty 15 Administer mobile devices on a network |
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Duty 16 Deliver network tasks prioritising security with a view to mitigatingand defending against security risks. |
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Duty 17 Install and configure relevant software and physical or virtual hardware as appropriate for example: network devices, switches androuters |
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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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K1: Approaches to back up and storage solutions
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K2: Basic elements of technical documentation and its interpretation
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K3: Principles of root cause problem solving using fault diagnostics for troubleshooting
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K4: Principles of basic network addressing for example binary
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K5: basic awareness of the principles of cloud and cloud-based services
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K6: fundamental principles of virtual networks and components
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K7: principles of cultural awareness and how diversity impacts on delivery of support tasks.
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K8: methods of communication including level of technical terminology to use to technical and non-technical stakeholders
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K9: different types of maintenance and preventative measures to reduce the incidence of faults
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K10: key principles of security including the role of People, Product and Process in secure systems for example access and encryption requirements
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K11: fundamentals of physical networks and components
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K12: approaches to documenting tasks, findings, actions taken and outcome for example, use of task tracking and ticketing systems
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K13: basic awareness of legislation in relation to disposal of waste materials for example Waste Electronic and Electrical regulations (WEEE)
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K14: fundamental principles of operating systems, hardware system architectures and devices
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K15: principles of remote operation of devices including how to deploy and securely integrate mobile devices into a network
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K16: fundamental principles of peripherals for example: printers and scanners
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K17: principles of virtualisation of servers, applications and networks
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K18: principles of disaster recovery, how a disaster recovery plan works and their role within it
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K19: principles of Test Plans, their role and significance
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K20: fundamentals of purpose, creation and maintenance of asset registers
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K21: approaches to system upgrades and updates and their significance
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K22: approaches to interpretation of log files, event viewer and system tools
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K23: basic elements of network infrastructure architectures including WiFi and wired networks
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K24: Principles of OSI layers
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K25: Principles of cloud and network architecture (including Wi-Fi)
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K26: Principles of DNS / DHCP
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K27: Awareness of Cloud platforms, such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
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K28: Principles of LANs and WANs
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K29: Approaches to virtualisation of servers, applications, and networks
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K30: Principles of network protocols
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K31: Principles of API's and Web Services
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K32: The different types of cloud storage
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K33: Back up procedures and their importance
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K34: Principles of databases and migration
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K35: Key principles of Cloud Security and firewalls
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K36: Awareness of DevOps methodology and tools, such as Puppet, Chef, Git, Docker
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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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S1: Interpret and prioritise internal or external customer's requirements in line with organisation's policy
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S2: Apply the appropriate tools and techniques to undertake fault finding and rectification
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S3: apply Continuous Professional Development to support necessary business output and technical developments
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S4: Operate safely and securely across platforms and responsibilities maintaining the security of personal data of internal and external stakeholders
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S5: Communicate with all levels of stakeholders, keeping them informed of progress and managing escalation where appropriate
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S6: Develop and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, customers and other relevant stakeholders
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S7: Manage and prioritise the allocated workload effectively making best use of time and resources
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S8: Complete documentation relevant to the task and escalate where appropriate
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S9: Install or undertake basic software upgrades,either physically or remotely
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S10: Establish and diagnose the extent of the IT support task, in line with the organisation's policies and Service Level Agreements
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S11: Provide remote/F2F support to resolve customer requirements
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S12: Maintain a safe working environment for own personal safety and others in line with Health & Safety appropriate to the task
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S13: Identify and scope the best solution informed by the system data associated with the task
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S14: Test and evaluate the system's performance and compliance with customer requirements.
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S15: Escalate non routine problems in line with procedures
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S16: Use basic scripting to execute the relevant tasks for example PowerShell, Linux
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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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S18: Apply the necessary security, in line with access and/or encryption requirements
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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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S20: Test and evaluate network environments
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S21: Monitor performance and usage of a network
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S22: Deploy applications on a network
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S23: Set up storage and data access for staff
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S24: Apply necessary security measures, in line with access requirements to a network
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S25: Carry out routine maintenance across network systems, ensuring organisational compliance
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S26: Monitor network-related workloads including DNS and firewalls
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S27: Install or undertake basic upgrades, either 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
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B2: Communicates technical and non-technical information in a variety of situations to support effective working with internal or external stakeholders
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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.
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Qualification type: T Level
Qualification level: 3
Awarding organisation: NCFE
Approval date: 17/12/2020
Available from: 01/09/2020
Occupational specialism: Digital infrastructure
ST0973 Information communications technician
Options: Support Technician , Network Technician , Digital Communications TechnicianST0973 Information communications technician
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