Find your Career Path

The connectivity sector is fast-moving and ever-changing. This makes it a dynamic and exciting industry to be part of, but can make understanding the roles available a challenge. The good news is, we’re here to help - whether you’re considering your further education options, looking to upskill, switch careers or after some career inspiration. This section of the site promises to simplify the process, offering support and guidance for wherever you are on your career journey. 

Start your career in connectivity today.

In-School and School Leavers

The routes into our sector for young people are varied and expanding. If you’re in your final years of school and thinking about what comes next, there are a number of options available to you:

T Levels: a technically-focused qualification after your GCSEs, designed to help you build the vocational skills for skilled employment. Each T-Level includes a 45 day industry placement giving you real-world insight into what working in connectivity is really like.

Diplomas: designed to get you job ready, faster. A vocational education option, they help you understand and develop the key skills you'll need for your chosen industry, and allow you to put them into practice while you study. 

Apprenticeships: A great option to earn a salary, get hands-on experience and the opportunity to gain qualifications while you work - even a degree. Apprenticeship training programmes are specifically tailored to ensure you develop the skills employers want, giving you better long-term salary prospects and excellent progression opportunities. Download our guide to available apprenticeships here.

Apprenticeship
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T Levels & Diplomas

Specific T Levels that can set you up for a career in connectivity include:

  • Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing
  • Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Contro

Find out more about T-Levels

 

Diplomas are another great option, including:

  • Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling
  • Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems and Principles
  • Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals

Looking for an Apprenticeship with a difference?

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) kicks off on 5th February 2024 with the theme ‘skills for life’, and there’s no better time to consider your next steps in forging your ideal career.

The telecoms – or ‘connectivity’- sector is one of the most exciting career opportunities. Hot topics in the sector include AI, data science and engineering, and you can find and apply for apprenticeship schemes with most of the major companies and well-known brands in the sector, as well as more niche SME firms who offer some totally unique opportunities.

From developing AI programs for healthcare, delivering real time immersive experiences, through to self driving vehicles, connectivity is not just about putting cables in the ground, the sector is all about how you can apply connectivity to change our everyday lives. It’s an exciting time to be part of building the backbone of our digital society and creating the future of the UK.

At UKTIN, the UK Telecoms Innovation Network, we are passionate about the role apprenticeships play in attracting talent to the sector, and encourage anyone interested in applying for an apprenticeship, whether you are an education leaver, seeking a career change or returning to work after a break, search online for apprenticeships in telecoms or visit the Institute of Telecoms Professionals to find your next big move.

Industry body ITP offers a range of apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 4 and spanning a duration of 12 to 24 months. They all combine a robust, bespoke training package with full support throughout. Find out more about the courses and opportunities they offer.

Find out more about ITP Apprenticeships

And don’t forget, working in connectivity doesn’t just mean being an engineer. If you dream of a career in marketing, or fancy yourself as a sales person, our sector offers you the chance to build a career in a well-paid, varied and constantly evolving sector.

And of course if you have your heart set on becoming an engineer, there are so many options available in connectivity, with jobs ranging from network planning to satellite communications.

Further Education

There are a number of degrees that will set you up for an exciting role in connectivity, both in engineering and commercial roles. And once you start your career the possibilities are endless - if you love to learn then this is an ideal career for you.

These degree courses are available at many popular universities and would all provide a good pathway into our sector:

- Telecommunications Systems / Engineering

- Electronic & Communication Engineering

- Wireless Communications Systems

- Mobile & Satellite Engineering

- Network Engineering

- Optical Engineering

- Software Engineering

- Computer Science

- Data Science

- Cybersecurity

- Information Technology

- Business

- Marketing

- Project Management

University

For more information on university degrees and research specialisms at universities, Whatuni.com is a great source, as well as UCAS.

Retraining and Upskilling

A move to the connectivity sector promises a range of exciting opportunities and benefits, whether you’re an engineer or a sales leader. Typically, roles fall into one of four categories: commercial; networking engineering and operational; technology and analytics; and business support, and with the sector changing so rapidly there are a number of skills gaps across the sector.

This can be good news for people looking to make a change into connectivity: your skills could be just what the sector is looking for.

Get started

What skills and subjects are in demand?

Levels vary per role and employer but if you're in education and making decisions about subject choices, these are the areas you might like to consider:

  • Business – Project Management, Support, Sales
  • Digital – AI, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, Cloud
  • Engineering – Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering
What skills do you have to offer?

Career Transition Partnership have identified the following as key skills needs for employers:

- Security skills - security and data protection will have one of the clearest and most immediate impacts for the skills of IT & Telecoms professionals.

- Business skills - increasingly connectivity professionals must have core business skills. Creative, technical and entrepreneurial skills alone are not enough - as professionals need to manage lifecycles of product development, and solve real business issues.

- Analytical and research skills - analytics is a vital component of connecting information and technology to business problems.

Other skills and attributes employers are actively looking for:

- Problem-solving 

- Good oral communications

- Good team-working 

- Time Management

- Flexible approach

- Ability to use own initiative

- Stress management

- Customer service expertise

How can you upskill yourself?

Of course moving into a new sector inevitably means some up-skilling is needed. Whether you’ve already landed your new job and are looking to get ahead, or you’re keen to stand out from the crowd when applying for roles, there are a number training providers who specialise in courses, qualifications and practical training for our sector.

Find one through our Supplier Directory

Find the Right Role for You  

Check out the most  in-demand roles in connectivity and learn more about the job requirements, career path, and salaries that you can expect.

Young Ambassadors  

Meet the young people forging a career in connectivity