IT trainer

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Computing and ICT
Care

Career outlook for IT trainer

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£20,000

Experienced

£40,000


Currently employed in Scotland

15,500

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would show people how to make the most of their computers and teach them how to use different systems.

You could work in the training department of a large organisation or for an IT training company, a college or a university.

You could teach people to use programs for word processing and spreadsheets, or train them in more technical areas such as computer programming or maintenance. If you work for a company, you may do training for in-house systems, for example showing accounts staff how to use a new payroll system.

You would:

  • Assess people’s training needs and agree learning aims
  • Design new training programmes or adapt existing ones
  • Make training materials
  • Prepare the training room and resources
  • Deliver training programmes
  • Judge how useful the training is
  • Give constructive feedback to learners and management
  • Make ongoing improvements
  • Organise a schedule of training for new systems or software
  • Design e-learning materials for a virtual learning environment

You’d need to adapt your teaching and materials to your students’ knowledge and capabilities. Some software and systems are easier than to use than others so you’d need to be patient and tactful as learners make progress at different speeds.

You’d update learners’ records, and check whether your training has met their needs.

You’d need to keep updating your knowledge of commonly-used IT programs and systems.

Working conditions

Hours

In a full-time job you’ll usually work 37 to 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Sometimes you may need to work evenings or weekends to meet client requirements. Part-time work is often available.

Environment

Your workplace will vary depending on your employer. For example, you may work at several college sites and travel between them, or you may be based at a training centre full-time.

Travel

You may travel between several college sites. If you work for a private training company, your job is likely to involve local and regional travel. If you work for a large international organisation, you may also be expected to travel abroad.

UK employment status

Full-time

67%

Part-time

19%

Self employed

14%

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  • Cooperating
  • Evaluating
  • Problem solving
  • Empathising
  • Developing a plan
  • Taking initiative
  • Coaching
  • Mentoring
  • Motivating others

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Foundation Apprenticeships

Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 and S6 can help you get a head start with this type of job.

You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification (the same level as a Higher) plus valuable work placement experience and skills you can't learn in a classroom.

Interested? Find out what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.

Qualifications

You are likely to need an advanced IT or business technologies qualification: a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7), Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8), degree (SCQF level 9/10) or postgraduate (SCQF level 11) plus qualifications in training and/or extensive industry experience.

To enter a Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma (SCQF level 8) course requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.

Entry to a degree (SCQF level 9/10) course requires National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers.

To enter a postgraduate course (SCQF level 11) requires a relevant degree and many courses ask for some work-based experience. Some universities offer Faster Route entry to Computing Science and Software Engineering applicants who attain exceptional grades in Advanced Highers, A-levels or International Baccalaureate. There are also Integrated Masters degrees in Computing Science, which are extended undergraduate programmes.

Useful subjects

English and maths are required by most courses. Other required subjects depend on the course but may include:

  • Physics
  • Technologies subjects such as Computing science and Engineering. 

You will also need

A driving licence for some jobs.

Some employers may require a teaching/training qualification such as the Professional Development Award (PDA) in Training and Development at (SCQF level 7) . 

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience that demonstrate customer service and communication skills, experience training others as well as an extensive knowledge of IT software.