ICT Technician - Schools
Discussion
I have just applied for a "ICT Technician" job at one of the local secondary schools.
I am just wondering if anyone here is/has worked in a similiar role or knows someone that does?
What is the job like day-to-day etc? Do you get the same holidays as the teaching staff/pupils?
I am in 2 minds about it, as it would mean that I would have to give up my company car (and go and buy my own car). The pay is around the same or abit more than I am slightly on, and the hours are alot less than I work now.
Any input, much appreciated!!
I am just wondering if anyone here is/has worked in a similiar role or knows someone that does?
What is the job like day-to-day etc? Do you get the same holidays as the teaching staff/pupils?
I am in 2 minds about it, as it would mean that I would have to give up my company car (and go and buy my own car). The pay is around the same or abit more than I am slightly on, and the hours are alot less than I work now.
Any input, much appreciated!!
te.A friend of mine on the south coast is an ICT technician (please please new government, drop the 'C') and he is really struggling to get out of it. The hours are very siimlar to teaching hours, but you only get paid for the hours you work, and they don't pay you school holidays. Training doesn't exist, and the politics with the teachers can be a nightmare.
One thing to consider, I have heard of a few people who have done IT for schools and struggled to move on afterwards because many employers don't rate the training and experience very highly compared to commercial work.
If this is not important to you then go for it, but do consider the affect on your career if you wish to do something else in future.
If this is not important to you then go for it, but do consider the affect on your career if you wish to do something else in future.
Education sector isn't as bad as everyone makes out. Yes, you will work during school holidays.
You will also learn RM CC3 / CC4 if that's out yet - if you want to impress during interview then brush up on what CC3 is and does (basically it's Active Directory with a warm fuzzy shell)
http://www.rm.com/support/
If you get the chance to learn Capita SIMS back office support then jump at it - I still get agencies calling me about SIMS contract roles 6 years after I left, SIMS people are in short supply and command decent wages if you are prepared to travel.
http://www.capita-cs.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx
You will also need to pass CRB enhanced background checks, if you didn't know that already
You will also learn RM CC3 / CC4 if that's out yet - if you want to impress during interview then brush up on what CC3 is and does (basically it's Active Directory with a warm fuzzy shell)
http://www.rm.com/support/
If you get the chance to learn Capita SIMS back office support then jump at it - I still get agencies calling me about SIMS contract roles 6 years after I left, SIMS people are in short supply and command decent wages if you are prepared to travel.
http://www.capita-cs.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx
You will also need to pass CRB enhanced background checks, if you didn't know that already
Edited by itsnotarace on Monday 12th July 15:47
AJS- said:
One thing to consider, I have heard of a few people who have done IT for schools and struggled to move on afterwards because many employers don't rate the training and experience very highly compared to commercial work. If this is not important to you then go for it, but do consider the affect on your career if you wish to do something else in future.
Interesting post mate! This would be my 4th role within IT and have worked for a variety of employers, both private and public sector. So I feel my CV is pretty strong as im currently in Epos field service support and previous roles were IT field service support. Would working in education affect this previous experience in the future?I would say its good for new/young people as a way of getting experience. Pay is terrible (our techs are on £13k, network manager is on £17k). Good people come in, get some experience, and move on. The dross seem to hand around for years getting promoted by default.
I find a lot of support staff in schools only do the job because it fits in with child care commitments.
I find a lot of support staff in schools only do the job because it fits in with child care commitments.
itsnotarace said:
Education sector isn't as bad as everyone makes out. Yes, you will work during school holidays. You will also learn RM CC3 / CC4 if that's out yet - if you want to impress during interview then brush up on what CC3 is and does (basically it's Active Directory with a warm fuzzy shell) http://www.rm.com/support/If you get the chance to learn Capita SIMS back office support then jump at it - I still get agencies calling me about SIMS contract roles 6 years after I left, SIMS people are in short supply and command decent wages if you are prepared to travel. http://www.capita-cs.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspxYou will also need to pass CRB enhanced background checks, if you didn't know that already
Thanks for those links mate, will read up on these technologies. Already read a fair bit about the use of cc3/cc4 - Is it also used in scotland? I was aware of the CRB check, under went one in a previous role. I have a conviction, albeit a minor one that doesnt involve violence, sexual offences, terrorist offences etc - would this matter?Edited by itsnotarace on Monday 12th July 15:47
XDA said:
AJS- said:
One thing to consider, I have heard of a few people who have done IT for schools and struggled to move on afterwards because many employers don't rate the training and experience very highly compared to commercial work.
If this is not important to you then go for it, but do consider the affect on your career if you wish to do something else in future.
Interesting post mate! This would be my 4th role within IT and have worked for a variety of employers, both private and public sector. So I feel my CV is pretty strong as im currently in Epos field service support and previous roles were IT field service support. Would working in education affect this previous experience in the future?If this is not important to you then go for it, but do consider the affect on your career if you wish to do something else in future.
The post above my last one kind of shoots down my original post so perhaps I am out of date or have spoken to the wrong people, but do ask other people in the industry how they rate that experience and make sure to ask what training etc they provide.
Edited by AJS- on Monday 12th July 16:56
Countdown said:
I would say its good for new/young people as a way of getting experience. Pay is terrible (our techs are on £13k, network manager is on £17k). Good people come in, get some experience, and move on. The dross seem to hand around for years getting promoted by default.
I find a lot of support staff in schools only do the job because it fits in with child care commitments.
conversely an IT manager in a private school can earn up to 75k its not all poor wages. Expect to work hols as thats when schools put in all the new IT stuff. not all schools use RM a lot are vanilla windows etc. I agree recruiters / companies are not up to date with IT in schools and look poorly on it in a cv despite the fact you will get more experience in a school than most companies.I find a lot of support staff in schools only do the job because it fits in with child care commitments.
Be careful that it isn't pro-rata of £18-24K. Also, ask if there is any Microsoft, Cisco or similar industry certification training. If not then it is always going to be a dead end.
I must admit that last week I saw an advert for IT support in a local 11-18 private girls school, and my first thought was Pistonheads.
I must admit that last week I saw an advert for IT support in a local 11-18 private girls school, and my first thought was Pistonheads.
Zad said:
Be careful that it isn't pro-rata of £18-24K. Also, ask if there is any Microsoft, Cisco or similar industry certification training. If not then it is always going to be a dead end.I must admit that last week I saw an advert for IT support in a local 11-18 private girls school, and my first thought was Pistonheads.
It doesnt say its pro-rota of £18k-£24k, although seeing as its based in a school its something to check. Will bear that in mind, cheers.I've worked in ICT Support for schools for about 8 years now, but I work for the local authority.
To answer one of your questions - chances are it'll be full time. School holidays are when you'll do most of your major restructuring work.
Also bear in mind that you may be asked to only take your holiday out of term-time, especially if you're part of a very small team. I assume you'll be working under a schools ICT Manager?
Not that I want to be discouraging, as its always worth a punt, but in a school with a CC3/CC4 network, you'll be hard pressed to be considered without experience in it. Its not hard to learn, its just a customised/simplified MS AD network, but the last job we had running at the office, a large chunk of applicatants had RM experience...and when 90% of our work is dealing with CCx...
Try to brush up on some of the key areas surrounding ICT in schools - chances are finances won't be your remit, but being aware of where the ICT funds come from ('Harnessing Technology' grants and 'Devolved Formula Capital'). I would have suggested you be aware of "BECTA" who were majorly involved in ICT, but they've suddently, and suprisingly, been kicked to the curb.
In terms of day-to-day stuff, its going to be pretty simple. "My Interactive whiteboard isn't interactive" and "Why doesn't my keyboard work?" or "Can you turn my water into wine?". Teachers and kids can be pretty demanding.
As mentioned though, schools ICT is very different in terms of progression and development compared to industry, so making the jump at a later date can be difficult. Its quite dynamic though, as schools spend alot of money on new technology and toys, so there's always something new to implement.
To answer one of your questions - chances are it'll be full time. School holidays are when you'll do most of your major restructuring work.
Also bear in mind that you may be asked to only take your holiday out of term-time, especially if you're part of a very small team. I assume you'll be working under a schools ICT Manager?
Not that I want to be discouraging, as its always worth a punt, but in a school with a CC3/CC4 network, you'll be hard pressed to be considered without experience in it. Its not hard to learn, its just a customised/simplified MS AD network, but the last job we had running at the office, a large chunk of applicatants had RM experience...and when 90% of our work is dealing with CCx...
Try to brush up on some of the key areas surrounding ICT in schools - chances are finances won't be your remit, but being aware of where the ICT funds come from ('Harnessing Technology' grants and 'Devolved Formula Capital'). I would have suggested you be aware of "BECTA" who were majorly involved in ICT, but they've suddently, and suprisingly, been kicked to the curb.
In terms of day-to-day stuff, its going to be pretty simple. "My Interactive whiteboard isn't interactive" and "Why doesn't my keyboard work?" or "Can you turn my water into wine?". Teachers and kids can be pretty demanding.
As mentioned though, schools ICT is very different in terms of progression and development compared to industry, so making the jump at a later date can be difficult. Its quite dynamic though, as schools spend alot of money on new technology and toys, so there's always something new to implement.
MattyB_ said:
I've worked in ICT Support for schools for about 8 years now, but I work for the local authority. To answer one of your questions - chances are it'll be full time. School holidays are when you'll do most of your major restructuring work. Also bear in mind that you may be asked to only take your holiday out of term-time, especially if you're part of a very small team. I assume you'll be working under a schools ICT Manager?Not that I want to be discouraging, as its always worth a punt, but in a school with a CC3/CC4 network, you'll be hard pressed to be considered without experience in it. Its not hard to learn, its just a customised/simplified MS AD network, but the last job we had running at the office, a large chunk of applicatants had RM experience...and when 90% of our work is dealing with CCx...Try to brush up on some of the key areas surrounding ICT in schools - chances are finances won't be your remit, but being aware of where the ICT funds come from ('Harnessing Technology' grants and 'Devolved Formula Capital'). I would have suggested you be aware of "BECTA" who were majorly involved in ICT, but they've suddently, and suprisingly, been kicked to the curb. In terms of day-to-day stuff, its going to be pretty simple. "My Interactive whiteboard isn't interactive" and "Why doesn't my keyboard work?" or "Can you turn my water into wine?". Teachers and kids can be pretty demanding.As mentioned though, schools ICT is very different in terms of progression and development compared to industry, so making the jump at a later date can be difficult. Its quite dynamic though, as schools spend alot of money on new technology and toys, so there's always something new to implement.
Very informative post, cheers. I dont know if cc3/cc4 is used as there is no mention of it in the job description. Cant see there being many applicants with cc3/cc4 experience applying unless they have worked in a school previously? There is no IT manager, you report to head teacher and the ICT service desk.Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff