How an Apprenticeship Kickstarted Paris’ IT Career: From First to Third Line

At Optimising IT, we believe in growing talent from the ground up. For Paris, joining us as an IT apprentice was more than just a way into the industry. It was the launchpad for a fast-moving, hands-on career in tech.

From Passion to Profession

Paris always had a natural interest in computers. Like many in tech, he grew up fascinated by how systems worked and enjoyed problem-solving with his own kit at home. But he quickly realised that personal experience doesn’t always translate to the professional world.

“I thought I knew what I was doing,” Paris told us. “But I realised very quickly I didn’t! There was a lot of stuff that you have to have experience with to know what you’re doing – and these are things you don’t get experience with at home”

That learning curve was exactly what made the apprenticeship so valuable. It wasn’t just about theory. It was about doing the job every day with real users, real systems, and real accountability.

Support That Makes a Difference

One of the key aspects of Paris’s apprenticeship was the structured support he received. With a dedicated mentor and regular one-to-one time with his tutor, he always had someone to turn to when questions came up.

“I always had a mentor that I could use. So I always had someone I could go to if I needed help or assistance.”

Combining structured learning with day-to-day experience helped Paris bridge the gap between knowing something and applying it. That was a challenge he’d found difficult in school.

Progression Through the Ranks

After completing his apprenticeship in around 18 months, Paris moved into a second-line support role, where he spent just under a year dealing with more complex technical issues and end-user support. From there, he was offered a junior third-line position. It was a role he hadn’t even applied for.

“It wasn’t something I applied for or mentioned before,” Paris said. “I was quite happy learning in second line, but when I was asked that was probably the most memorable moment for me.”

Third Line, Bigger Picture

Now working as a junior third-line engineer, Paris tackles broader infrastructure and policy-level issues that often affect entire teams or departments. While the problems are more complex, so is the satisfaction.

“It’s definitely the scale I’d say is the biggest difference. The issues are a lot more specific, but targeted towards a group of users rather than just one. So it’s usually working on things that impact more people, and could cause a lot more issues if it isn’t fixed.”

Why Optimising IT?

For Paris, the variety of work at Optimising IT has been a major part of his development.

“No two days are the same,” he told us. “Especially in third line, everything is brand new to me.”

Advice to Future Apprentices

When asked what advice he’d give to someone starting out, Paris kept it simple. “Get stuck in and don’t be afraid to ask questions. People are always more willing to give advice if you’re willing to ask for it.”

Building IT Careers, One Apprentice at a Time

Paris’s journey is just one example of how apprenticeships can unlock long-term career opportunities in the IT sector. At Optimising IT, we’re proud to support ambitious individuals like Paris, giving them the tools, experience, and environment they need to thrive.

Interested in Starting a Career in IT?

We’re always on the lookout for motivated people to join our team. If you’re considering an apprenticeship, get in touch to learn more about how we can help you build a career in tech.