Become a Network Engineer with IT Apprenticeships

Network Engineer is one of our most popular Apprenticeship standards. 

Could this job be for you? Let's find out.

What is a Network Engineer?

Network Engineers design, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimise a company’s network infrastructure, hardware as well as software, keeping it functional and secure.

Great Network Engineers have a knack for problem-solving. They also have great interpersonal skills, customer service skills, and can communicate clearly with people regardless of their technical expertise, from colleagues who understand the technical jargon to non-technical people who need their help.

Network Engineers can work for all major sectors, from Healthcare, IT, and Telecommunications, to Education and Government. In the UK, experienced Network Engineers can make over £50,000 per year.

What does a Network Engineer do?

Depending on the structure of their company, Network Engineers can work closely with Network Administrators, IC Technicians, and Cloud and Cyber Security specialists.

Key job responsibilities for Network Engineers include:

• establishing and maintaining IT and digital communication infrastructures such as WiFi or LAN
• ensuring that company networks are protected from cyber-attacks – e.g., through firewalls
• establishing and maintaining digital communication software such as e-mail
• training employees and supporting them with technical issues
• maintaining company phone systems

If you do a Network Engineer Apprenticeship, how can you progress?

After completing a Network Engineer Apprenticeship, you may choose to specialise further—for example, in Cloud Computing, which has become indispensable to business processes, with global business spend expected to exceed $1 trillion in 2024, or Cyber Security, which is projected to grow by 35% in the next five years.

Also, bear in mind that the age of AI is impacting all facets of IT; by the time you finish your Apprenticeship, the job market will reflect these changes too, and you may be able to choose a different speciality altogether.

What is the Firebrand Network Engineer Apprenticeship like?

At Firebrand, we specialise in getting people certified fast.

We were the first Apprenticeship provider to adopt the new Digital Standards and, three years ago, we became the first training provider to be inducted into the WorldSkills UK Excellence programmes.

Our Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship takes 24 months, 21 months for practical followed by a 3-month EPA.

This apprenticeship helps learners develop the skills to design, build, and secure multi-vendor networks, physical as well as software-defined.

Our programme is taught through a blended framework of residential and online learning. Throughout the programme, learners are supported by Learning Mentors (from Firebrand as well as at their workplace) and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with decades of experience in IT.

Will you get certified?

At Firebrand, we offer learners the opportunity to gain industry-recognised certifications during their Apprenticeship.

These certifications attest to their competence and help their CVs stand out.

During the Level 4 Network Engineer Apprenticeship, learners have the chance to achieve:

• CompTIA Server+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+

For this apprenticeship, we also offer a pathway that integrates Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions.

Interested?

See our latest Apprenticeship vacancies.

What is Firebrand?

For the past 14 years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.

We specialise in accelerated courses that help you become competent, confident, and certified fast.

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