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
Graduate Scheme / Apprenticeship
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Foundational IT knowledge, basic cloud concepts, structured problem-solving, teamwork.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully completed a relevant graduate programme or apprenticeship.
- Demonstrated ability to learn new technical concepts quickly.
- Positive feedback from mentors and supervisors on attitude and reliability.
- 2
IT Support / Helpdesk Specialist
1-3 yearsSkills to master
- Troubleshooting, customer service, understanding IT systems, basic networking, ticketing systems.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience resolving technical issues for users or systems.
- Familiarity with various operating systems and applications.
- A keen interest in moving beyond reactive support to proactive system management.
- 3
Self-Taught Cloud Enthusiast
Varies (often 0-2 years of dedicated study)Skills to master
- Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (personal projects), understanding of cloud services, basic scripting, problem-solving.
You're ready to move on when
- Completed foundational cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Cloud Practitioner, Azure Fundamentals).
- Built and managed personal cloud projects (e.g., a website, a small application).
- Can articulate basic cloud concepts and security considerations.


