Elite Group’s Apprenticeships – Developing Our Future Tech Experts

National Apprenticeship Week.

We asked Sebastian Payne, one of our technical apprentices, what motivated him to join our apprenticeship programme and work at Elite Group.  

Like many, our apprentices have faced a difficult time over the last year due to the impact of Coronavirus, yet they have shown unwavering commitment to their studies during the pandemic. 

National Apprenticeship Week 2021  offers us a great opportunity to shine a light on just how amazing our apprentices are whilst highlighting how instrumental apprentices will be in building our collective future.  

Today, we’ve taken the opportunity to speak to one of our technical apprentices, Sebastian Payne.  

Sebastian is currently working within our Projects Team which plays a key role in providing our customers with complete business-improving technical solutions.  These are becoming even more vital in keeping firms running productively through the pandemic.    

Let’s start with finding out a bit more about you and your role. What is your position within Elite Group? 

 I first joined Elite Group in September 2018 as a third-line support engineer before progressing into my apprenticeship and my current role as a junior Projects Engineer within the Projects Team. I am currently coming to the end of my second year in my two-year apprenticeship (Infrastructure Technician Level 3 course). 

How did you hear about the apprenticeship opportunity at Elite Group?  

I was looking online at job listings and by chance came across the apprenticeship role on indeed.co.uk. I felt an apprenticeship in a cutting-edge technology company such as Elite Group would be something I would enjoy while also providing me with a structured career path, so it was an easier decision to apply. 

What will be the outcome for you at the end of your apprenticeship? 

 My apprenticeship is now coming to an end. Once I’ve gained my qualification, I’d love to continue my career at Elite Group in a full-time position within the Projects Team.   

Why did you go down the apprenticeship route and not a traditional post–16 education?  

 I chose to go down the apprenticeship route because I wanted to get hands-on practical experience as well as academic study, I think doing both puts you in good stead. I’ve always been more of a practical learner, finding it easier to develop my knowledge and skills through first-hand application of knowledge and that’s exactly what my apprenticeship has given me. 

 I believe by choosing to go down the apprenticeship route you stand out as you’re saying, ‘I don’t just have academic qualifications, I understand the workplace, the real world and the practical side of the job. 

How have you fitted in as part of the Elite Group team?  

 I’ve fitted into the team nicely: everyone is really friendly and supportive. I get a lot of job satisfaction from working with like-minded people and helping develop technology solutions which will benefit other individuals and firms.  This is especially important now with the technical challenges businesses are now facing as they require secure, reliable systems for remote working. 

What has been the biggest learning curve for you during your time as an apprentice at Elite Group?  

Coming straight out of school meant I had never had an office-based job before, so the change of setting was probably my biggest learning curve. I had to adapt to the environment, learn to communicate professionally and balance work and study.

What excites you most about your future at Elite Group? 

 There is no shortage of opportunity for us as a company to help our customers work through the challenges posed by the pandemic.   

 My team is fully focussed on helping our customers and finding the best technical solutions for our clients, enabling them to carry on working remotely in a secure, collaborative, productive and profitable way.  It’s a crucial role we’re playing – providing them with peace of mind that we are taking care of their IT and communication systems while they get on with running their firms. 

As an apprentice how are you finding working from home and learning at the same time?  

 It has been fine, mainly because Elite Group is a technology company which has meant we had the right systems and processes in place in the first place, so our transition to remote working happened seamlessly – it’s almost the same as being in the office! It hasn’t all been a walk in the park admittedly, remote learning during the pandemic has had its challenges. However, my team and my mentors have been so supportive, so I’ve managed to find a workable solution.   

If you were describing what it’s like to work at Elite Group, what three things would you say? 

1. Elite Group fosters a culture where employees are focused and motivated and are always willing to work as a team. 
2. There is good communication between teams, you will always be able to get in touch with who you need to due to regular team meetings and there is a culture of consistent communication. 
3. Co–workers are always willing to help out and share the knowledge needed to develop.  

If you could give a new Elite Group apprenticeship any advice, what would it be? 

Get to know everyone in your team and work your hardest and in return, you will get the benefit tenfold in terms of increasing your knowledge, technical expertise and gaining all–round excellent experience.