The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
IT Helpdesk / Service Desk Analyst
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Ticket management, basic troubleshooting, customer service, escalating issues effectively, understanding IT infrastructure basics.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently high user satisfaction scores on helpdesk tickets.
- Demonstrated ability to follow runbooks and resolve common IT issues.
- Proactive in learning new systems and documenting solutions.
- 2
Operations Administrator / Coordinator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding operational processes (e.g., order processing, inventory), data entry accuracy, using business systems (even if not an ERP), attention to detail.
You're ready to move on when
- Deep understanding of a specific operational workflow and its pain points.
- Excellent track record of accurate data entry and process adherence.
- Identified and suggested improvements to existing administrative processes.
- 3
Apprenticeship in Business Systems / IT
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Structured learning of IT fundamentals, business analysis, system support, and project work, combined with on-the-job experience.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful completion of apprenticeship modules and projects.
- Demonstrated ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical work scenarios.
- Positive feedback from mentors and colleagues on work ethic and learning capacity.


