A fantastic opportunity if you are looking to pursue a career in IT
Blackburn College are pleased to partner with Thurra Ltd/ Slingco Ltd in pursuit of their next IT Apprentice.
Job Overview
Thurra is implementing a new digital platform. The Application Support Apprentice will play a key role in supporting the delivery, testing, rollout and ongoing operation of this platform.
Working closely with the IT team, our implementation partner and business users (such as inspectors and operations staff), the apprentice will help ensure the application is stable, well-documented, user-friendly and continuously improved. This is a hands-on role, ideal for someone who wants to start a career in application support, low-code development and digital transformation.
Key Responsibilities
The key responsibilities demonstrate what the apprentice will progress towards during the apprenticeship period.
1. Project Delivery & Configuration (Platform)
a. Support workshops and requirements-gathering sessions; record notes, actions and decisions
b. Maintain clear, simple documentation for:
c. Business processes and user journeys
d. Data and field mappings
e. Application configuration
f. Creating / updating forms and pages
g. Setting up validation rules and labels
h. Maintaining reference data / picklists
i. Help prepare and maintain test data and support management of test environments
2. Testing & User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
a. Draft and maintain test scripts and UAT scenarios based on real business processes
b. Coordinate UAT activities:
c. Scheduling sessions
d. Ensuring users have correct access
e. Providing basic guidance on how to test
f. Log and track defects, queries and change requests in the agreed tool (e.g. Jira)
g. Reproduce issues and capture clear steps, screenshots and supporting information for the development team
h. Support retesting of fixes and regression testing before deployment
3. Training, Go-Live & User Adoption
a. Help produce user-friendly training materials, such as:
b. Quick start guides and step-by-step instructions
c. Screenshots and simple process diagrams
d. FAQs and “how to” tips
e. Support and occasionally deliver small group and 1:1 training sessions for business users
f. Provide on-the-ground assistance during go-live and early life support, acting as a “super user” for the platform
g. Capture user feedback and enhancement ideas and add them to the change backlog
4. Ongoing Application Support & Change Management
a. Act as a first point of contact for user questions and issues relating to the application
b. Provide 1st line support, resolving straightforward issues where possible and escalating more complex problems to IT or the external partner
c. Maintain a structured change and enhancement backlog, ensuring items are clearly described, prioritised and updated
d. Assist with planning and executing testing for new features and releases
e. Help prepare and publish release notes and user communications
f. Keep documentation, training materials and FAQs up to date as the application evolves
5. Collaboration & Continuous Improvement
a. Build effective working relationships with:
b. IT colleagues and the implementation partner
c. Engineers, operations teams and other key business users
d. Contribute ideas to improve user experience, performance and process efficiency within the platform
Support light reporting and data tasks (e.g. producing basic reports, checking data quality) where required
Skills & Qualifications
Essential:
· Good verbal and written communication skills; able to interact confidently with non-technical users
- Logical thinker with good problem-solving skills
- Organised and able to manage multiple tasks, deadlines and follow-ups
- Comfortable using Microsoft 365 tools (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Desirable:
- Basic coding / scripting (e.g. HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, Python)
- Experience in a customer-facing, service desk or support role (paid, voluntary or educational)
- Interest in data, analytics or reporting tools (e.g. Excel, Power BI)
- Basic understanding of how business processes can be improved using digital tools
Personal qualities:
- Genuine interest in IT, digital applications
- Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to work
- Willingness to learn and to receive coaching and feedback
Entry Requirements
English and Maths at Grade 4/C or Functional Skills at Level 2 as a minimum.
Benefits
- Competitive Salary
- 31 Days Holiday, rising to 36
- Company Pension – Enhanced Employer Contributions
- Life Insurance (x4 your salary)
- Gym Membership
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Loan Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Training to be Provided by Blackburn College
Level 3 IT Solutions Technician
Proposed Duration:
20 months
Job Types:
Full-time, Apprenticeship (1 day release for college)
Salary:
£7.55 (hourly rate)
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
Work Location:
In person
Future Prospects
International organisation with a supportive culture.
Career development
Contact:
Apprenticeship Team
01254 292500
Apprenticeships@blackburn.ac.uk
