This occupation is found in organisations, large and small, in all sectors, and within public, private and voluntary organisations. Organisations of all types are increasingly applying digital technologies across all their business functions to maximise productivity. The demand for people who can support and implement these digital operations and digital change projects is increasing. Organisations of all types are increasingly supporting their service users through online and digital channels. Organisations are developing omnichannel approaches to meeting customer needs to deflect telephone and face-to-face contacts and so reduce costs.

The broad purpose of a Digital Support Technician is to maximise the effective use of digital office technologies, productivity software and digital communications. These will include collaborative technologies and digital information systems.

A Digital Applications Technician (DAT) helps their organisation and its internal users to maximise the use of digital technologies. They help organisations adapt to and exploit changes in technology to meet objectives and maximise efficiency. They ensure the effective use of digital office technologies, productivity software, digital communications, including collaborative technologies, and digital information systems.

In their daily work, Digital Support Technicians interact with a wide variety of internal or external users of digital systems. They will communicate through digital channels, by phone and/or face-to-face. Digital Support Technicians work under general direction, using discretion in identifying and dealing with complex issues. They receive clear instructions and have their work reviewed at frequent milestones and determine when issues should be escalated to a higher level. Digital Support Technicians interact with and influence others, having working-level contact with colleagues or customers. They may supervise others or make decisions which impact the work assigned to others or to other phases of projects. A Digital Support Technician plans, schedules and monitors their own work within limited deadlines and according to relevant law, standards and procedures.

Digital Applications Technicians (DAT) devise digital productivity solutions and roll them out in the organisation. They work as digital champions, training and supporting colleagues to make the best use of digital tools and diagnose problems. They provide internal end-user application support. The DAT may also assist with digital operations and digital change projects.

Validated by the British Computer Society (BCS) and delivered by Bournemouth and Poole College, the Apprenticeship combines study days at college where you will have the opportunity to work with other apprentices and work collaboratively on projects developing and building confidence in the soft skills and behaviours required to be successful when completing the End-Point Assessment. You will be taught and assessed by staff with industry experience and professional recognition.

The remainder of the time the Apprenticeship is based in the workplace working with experts in your organisation building software and hardware skills and knowledge.