IT Solutions Technician

K1

The stages within a solutions lifecycle.

LOCAL_K1

Understands the stages within the overall solution lifecycle.

LOCAL_K2

Understands the concepts of networking including the ISO (International Organisation for Standardisation) and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) network stacks, Ethernet LANs (Local Area Networks), IP addressing, Port numbers, DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and the principals of routing between LANs and WANs (Wide Area Networks).

LOCAL_K3

Port numbers, DNS (Domain Name System), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and the principals of routing between LANs and WANs (Wide Area Networks).

K6

The main components within an IT solution including how hardware and or software components may work together.

LOCAL_K5

Understands the main components of a computer system and their purpose, including servers, end-user computers, and mobile devices (both physical and virtual), user interfaces, CPUs, storage and connectivity.

LOCAL_K6

Understands the purpose of an Operating System.

LOCAL_K7

Understands the concepts of Cloud, Cloud Services and storage.

LOCAL_K8

Understands how their work contributes to business performance, continuity and resilience.

K9

Concepts of cloud, cloud services and cloud storage, including cloud enablement and application e.g. SaaS, PaaS, IaaS.

LOCAL_K9

Understands the main trends in emerging technologies – including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and automation - and the potential implications for digital activities.

LOCAL_K10

Understands the necessary numerical skills including Binary and Hexadecimal

LOCAL_K11

Understands why cyber security is essential as part of the delivery of any solution

LOCAL_K12

Understands the main principals, features, differences and benefits of Waterfall and Agile type methodologies and the function of service management frameworks.

LOCAL_K13

Understands the importance of working securely and the main classifications of types of threats and common mitigation practices.

LOCAL_K14

Understands the meaning of risk in the context of security and can explain the relationship between levels of risk, impact, and designed level of protection in IT Solutions.

LOCAL_K15

Understands the role of configuration management and version control systems and when they should be used.

LOCAL_K16

Understands the concepts of virtualisation.

LOCAL_K17

Understands the use of different platforms (including web, mobile, or desktop applications).

LOCAL_K18

Understands the concepts of relational databases, non-relational structured and unstructured databases.

LOCAL_K19

Understands the concepts of solutions development to a given set of requirements, including the use of standard approaches for web and cloud-based solutions.

LOCAL_K20

Understands the benefits of and requirements for vendor support including commercial cloud offerings

K21

How their work contributes to Carbon emissions and what steps can be taken to reduce emissions.

LOCAL_K21

Understands the aims and benefits of DevOps approaches; including the benefits of automation, the ideas behind continuous improvement and monitoring

LOCAL_K22

Understands the principles of Solution Architecture including the importance of re-use.

K23

Principles of cultural awareness and how diversity impacts on solutions.

LOCAL_K23

Understands why testing is necessary, the need for both functional and non-functional testing, the different types of testing available, including unit testing, integration testing, user acceptance testing and performance testing.

LOCAL_K24

Understands planning and delivery within their role and how this contributes to the wider team and the organisation.

LOCAL_K25

Understands how the end-user context influences the solution

LOCAL_K26

Understands the key features of, and where to find, organisational requirements in relation to policies, standards, legislation, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality.

LOCAL_K27

Understands the main legislation, policies and standards that apply to IT solutions.

K2

Stakeholder management techniques and approaches.

K3

Project management approaches and methodologies.

K5

Creative and critical thinking principles to aid in solutions suggestions.

K11

The requirements of systems hosting and access.

K17

Principles and importance of change management for example version control.

LOCAL_K28

Understands the principles of Solution Architecture as applied to hardware

LOCAL_K29

Understands the advantages and disadvantages of different types of hardware configurations

LOCAL_K30

Understands a range of cabling and connectivity.

LOCAL_K31

Understands the concepts of standard builds.

LOCAL_K32

Understands the concepts of mobile data, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G and Wi-Fi and the security implications of such solutions

LOCAL_K33

Understands different types of storage including locally attached, SAN (storage area network) and networked, and the concepts of RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Discs) and knowledge of RAID levels.

LOCAL_K34

Understands requirements when working with electro static sensitive equipment (including personal grounding devices) and when working in a server room and/or data centre and/or handling equipment.

LOCAL_K35

Understands how to install, configure and test hardware components, networks and devices – including servers, end-user computers and mobile devices

LOCAL_K36

Understands the need to follow a logical approach and how to ensure connectivity within solutions

K4

Principles of solution architecture.

K7

The main components of a computer system and their purpose.

K8

The purpose of an Operating System OS.

K10

Different types of network devices and components.

K13

The data lifecycle including creation, processing and storage, usage archiving and destruction.

K14

Emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, the ethical usage of AI tooling and the potential implication for digital activities and solutions.

K15

Principles of the types of testing, such as functional and non-functional testing, user testing and performance testing, including where testing can be automated where possible.

K12

Relative merits of different types of configurations for example default and custom.

K18

Organisation and industry legislation, policies and Standards.

K19

Principles of cyber security and the implication on IT solutions.

K20

Fundamentals and application of health and safety legislation and policies.

K22

Communication techniques: verbal and written.

K16

Significance of test plans.

S1

Work at any stage of the solution lifecycle.

LOCAL_S1

Applies a professional methodology or framework in their work tasks.

S2

Interpret client requirements.

LOCAL_S2

Executes appropriate due diligence, including formal testing or validation

S3

Prioritise tasks to work within agreed project plans.

LOCAL_S3

Applies a range of technical IT skills, including: accessing remote systems; file manipulation; file editing, changing system or application settings; system administration; setting up and upgrading components (infrastructure or software);

LOCAL_S4

Operates in line with organisational polices, standards, legislation, security requirements, professional ethics, privacy and confidentiality; and understands escalation policies.

S5

Design solutions to meet client and business requirements.

LOCAL_S5

Creates and maintains documentation in accordance with best practice, organisational guidance and legislation

LOCAL_S6

Identifies appropriate technical solutions using both logical and creative thinking.

LOCAL_S7

Diagnoses and understands client requirements and problems using sound analytical and problem-solving skills

LOCAL_S8

Communicates effectively in a variety of situations including formal and informally both within their team and externally.

LOCAL_S9

Operates securely across all their areas of responsibility, in line with organisational guidance and legislation

S10

Deploy and implement solutions, supporting change management practices.

S13

Apply organisational policies and legislation in relation to security requirements, privacy, and confidentiality.

S4

Ensure resources are used efficiently and responsibly.

LOCAL_S10

Works at any stage of the hardware solution lifecycle

LOCAL_S11

Undertakes maintenance of a range of contemporary or legacy hardware solutions to required levels of service.

LOCAL_S12

Installs and configures basic hardware system components, networks and devices (including servers, end-user computers, and mobile devices, whether physical or virtual) as required

LOCAL_S13

Demonstrates safe application of the concepts of Electro Static Discharge (ESD) and meets appropriate health and safety standards when working with hardware

S6

Identify technical solutions using creative and critical thinking.

S9

Test and evaluate performance, functionality, and usability of solutions to ensure compliance with customer and project requirements.

S7

Install hardware or software, either physically or virtually.

S14

Communicate using a variety of tools and approaches, adapting language for technical and non-technical stakeholders.

S12

Support multiple contemporary or legacy solutions to required levels of service.

S11

Create and maintain documentation in accordance with best practice and organisational requirements.

S8

Search and use different types of data or information sources.

S15

Apply continuous professional development CPD to support their own learning, business needs and technical developments.

B1

Work independently, taking responsibility and initiative as necessary.

LOCAL_B1

Works professionally and independently, taking responsibility and initiative as appropriate

B2

Demonstrate standard business courtesies and professional ethics.

LOCAL_B2

Demonstrates standard business courtesies and professional ethics in how they work

LOCAL_B4

Works effectively with customers, clients and users.

B6

Demonstrate due diligence in all working practices.

B3

Demonstrate a productive and organised approach to their work.

B5

Take an environmentally sustainable mindset towards solution design and implementation activities ensuring climate change and the move to net carbon zero is a consideration.

B4

Work with stakeholders whilst contributing to a supportive and inclusive workplace.