George has got IT!

George Catlin, IT Desktop Technician at Hopwood Hall College

George Catlin, 21, from Middleton, has been interested in IT from a young age, so he always knew this was a career path he wanted to follow. To do this, George decided to become an apprentice and this has led him to gain full time employment as an IT support technician!

Having been a Hopwood Hall College student, George found out about an apprenticeship opportunity within the College and realising this was a great way of gaining real work experience, felt he just had to apply.

For George, deciding to become an apprentice was the turning point. He explains: “The apprenticeship changed my life dramatically. I gained more IT knowledge and real hands on experience at the same time.

"Apprenticeships offer a great way of getting real work practice which is sought after as you start your career, so I’d advice others to go for it.”

Since then George has gone on to complete a diploma in Professional Competence in IT and Telecoms Professionals. Then, on completion of his apprenticeship George was offered a full time role - one of George’s goals - and he is now an IT support technician at the College.

He has been impressing his colleagues, who commented on George’s dedication to the job, always going above and beyond what is expected and accomplishing projects to high standards. Most importantly, George is really enjoying it, adding: “This is a job I’m excited to return to day after day.”

However George’s goals have not stopped at gaining a job. He continues: “My aim is to continue to improve my IT skills. I’m planning on doing more training because I want to aim high and keep bettering myself.”