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
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Ticket management, basic troubleshooting, user communication, understanding common IT issues, following escalation paths.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently resolving L1 issues quickly and accurately.
- Strong customer service skills and ability to manage user expectations.
- Demonstrated ability to follow procedures and document actions thoroughly.
- 2
Technical Apprenticeship / Internship
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Hands-on experience with various IT systems, exposure to operational processes, project support, learning specific tools.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful completion of apprenticeship programme with good feedback.
- Ability to apply learned technical concepts to real-world problems.
- Proactive in seeking out new tasks and learning opportunities.
- 3
Self-Taught Enthusiast / Home Lab Builder
Varies (can be 0-2 years of intense self-study)Skills to master
- Linux/Windows administration, networking basics, scripting fundamentals, virtualisation, problem-solving through personal projects.
You're ready to move on when
- A demonstrable portfolio of personal technical projects (e.g., GitHub, blog posts).
- Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly, even if self-taught.
- Strong drive and passion for technology, evidenced by continuous learning.


