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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Employment, training and careers
    3. Looking for work
    4. Training programmes
    5. Apprenticeships
    6. Level 3 apprenticeship framework
    New Apprenticeship Image
    Apprenticeship Image

    Digital Telecommunications - level 3 apprenticeship framework

    This framework sets out the standards and criteria you must meet to complete the apprenticeship programme and receive your apprenticeship certificate for Level 3 Digital Telecommunications. This is the only level 3 training in this skill acceptable for the receipt of apprenticeshipsni funding.

    About the framework

    This framework specifies the standards and the criteria for the delivery of a level 3 apprenticeship framework to achieve qualified status within the digital communications industry. Successful completion of the framework will lead to the award of a level 3 qualification showing recognition as a qualified person within the industry.   

    Mandatory outcomes

    Achievement of a level 3 apprenticeship in Digital Telecommunications will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body.

    You must complete both a competence-based and a knowledge-based qualification, along with the mandatory essential skills qualifications.

    Mandatory essential skills

    To successfully complete the apprenticeship, you must achieve the following essential skills qualifications or already hold a recognised equivalent:

    • application of number – level 2
    • communication – level 2

    The essential skills are mandatory and are to be completed as part of the apprenticeship. However, any qualifications you already have are assessed against the framework requirements and may result in an exemption from the above.

    Competency and knowledge qualifications

    Apprentices need to complete a qualification in both competency and knowledge based qualification, chosen from the list provided below.

    Knowledge-based qualification:

    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Information Technology 603/0455/8

    Competence-based qualification:

    • Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals (Northern Ireland) 610/4052/6

    Eligibility and entry to the programme

    You must be a new employee, or an existing employee taking on a new role to take part in the programme.

    The level 3 Apprenticeship in Digital Telecommunications is suitable for applicants who have achieved a minimum of five grade Cs at GCSE or an equivalent level.

    The employer and training contractor will also do an initial assessment to determine an applicant’s capability to achieve a level 3 standard.

    You may also progress from a level 2 ICT apprenticeship framework, or be considered based on previous experience in the sector.

    Employers may apply their own additional criteria at the recruitment stage.

    See also the DfE operational requirements.

    Duration

    Apprenticeship duration can vary and will be agreed between the apprentice, training provider and employer.

    Assessment

    The competency-based section of the qualification will be assessed in both the learning provider’s premises and in the apprentice’s workplace. This assessment should be conducted by trained competency assessors.

    The assessment strategy includes assessor observation and/or testimony from an expert witness of the learner carrying out activities in the workplace relating to the three mandatory units (health and safety in ICT, develop own effectiveness and professionalism and Fibre Telecommunications Techniques) being assessed in the workplace. Elective optional units can be assessed through a wider variety of assessment methods. These include a learner portfolio together with set assignments covering practical activities and underpinning knowledge and tests where appropriate.

    The knowledge-based section of the qualification will normally be assessed in the learning provider’s premises and will include a mix of examinations and coursework.

    Progression

    Following the completion of the Level 3 NI Apprenticeship in Digital Telecommunications, successful apprentices will be able to progress to a higher level apprenticeship or continue on to complete a full Honours degree programme.

    This apprenticeship provides progression opportunities to:

    • The Higher Level Apprenticeship in Cyber Security and Networking Infrastructure

    • Degree programmes in Computing at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University.

    In addition, completing the Level 3 NI Apprenticeship in Digital Telecommunications framework will provide a wide range of career opportunities in junior roles in telecoms engineering and enable apprentices to undertake specialist vendor certificates available in telecoms.

    Related Knowledge

    All pathways must include mandatory induction. Employee rights and responsibilities (ERR) must be covered and confirmation of completing ERR must be included with the request for the apprenticeship certificate.

    Responsibilities

    It is the responsibility of the training contractor/college to ensure that the requirements of this framework are delivered in accordance with apprenticeshipsni operational requirements

    The apprentice must be employed from day one on the programme.

    Review

    This apprenticeship framework will be reviewed after three years (April 2026).

    Further information

    The content of this framework (framework number 462 issue 2: 11/24) has been developed between the Department for the Economy and the ICT Sectoral Partnership (working with Belfast Metropolitan College) in April 2024. For further information, contact:

    • Department for the Economy - Apprenticeships Delivery and Performance Branch
    • Belfast Metropolitan College

    Core occupational standard

    A summary of the knowledge, skills and behaviours required is provided below.

    The requirements identified include telecoms techniques plus a range of associated ICT practises.

    1. Operating safely in a telecoms environment

    2. Preparing for telecoms cabling installation                                                                       

    3. Installing telecoms cabling     

    4. ICT practises (word processing, email, technical advice and guidance, working with digital hardware and equipment, presenting using digital technologies)             

    Detailed competency definitions  

    The required competencies are set out in further detail below:                                          

    1. Operating safely when working with telecoms infrastructure

    To maintain telecoms health and safety procedures when working in distinct types of required locations to minimise risk of injury.

    • Reviewing telecoms job specifications to identify health and safety requirements that need to be accounted for when performing allocated tasks

    • Conducting and recording own health and safety risk assessment prior to undertaking telecoms work to identify and mitigate any additional risks

    • Identifying and using the correct safety equipment and procedures when working in distinct types of relevant working environments

    • Reporting and documenting health and safety issues and concerns in line with organisational procedures

    2. Preparing for telecoms cabling installation                                                                       

    To prepare for the installation of telecoms cabling to facilitate the implementation of telecoms network services across the telecoms network.

    • Reviewing allocated job specifications to identify required installation tasks, tools, and procedures to be used

    • Reviewing route plans to identify cable laying schemes in line with requirements

    • Obtaining required tools and equipment from stores to complete allocated telecoms installation jobs

    • Conducting a risk assessment to identify and mitigate risks prior to commencing installation in line with organisational standards

    • Investigating underground or overhead structures to identify their readiness for cabling 

    • Implementing solutions to rectify identified issues preventing cabling installations

    3. Installing telecoms cabling        

    To install telecoms cabling to facilitate the delivery of telecoms network services for commercial or residential customers.              

    • Obtaining required cables and associated equipment from stores to complete allocated telecoms installation jobs

    • Installing cabling in relevant telecoms environments in line with organisational requirements

    • Identifying installation issues and perform cable rerouting in line with authority and organisational procedures

    • Escalating tasks which cannot be completed in line with organisational procedures

    • Completing cable installation job reporting and associated documentation in line with organisational procedures

    4. ICT practises

    a. Working with ICT hardware and equipment

    • Know how to plan and carry out or direct a wide range of work activities

    • Plan and carry out or direct a wide range of work activities

    • Minimise risks related to work activities

    b. Technical Advice and Guidance

    • Understand the context for providing technical advice and guidance

    • Provide reactive technical advice and guidance to customers on a range of topics

    • Provide proactive technical advice and guidance to customers

    c. Using email

    • Use email software tools and techniques to compose and send messages

    • Manage use of email software effectively

    d. Presentation software

    • Input and combine text and other information within presentation slides

    • Use presentation software tools to structure, edit and format presentations

    • Prepare interactive slideshow for presentation

    e. Word processing software

    • Enter and combine text and other information accurately within word processing documents

    • Create and modify appropriate layouts, structures and styles for word processing documents

    • Use word processing software tools and techniques to format and present documents effectively to meet requirements

    Transversal Skills

    The following transversal skills have been mapped at the levels stated:

    1. self-management - intermediate

    2. working with others - intermediate

    3. citizenship/participating in society - intermediate

    4. work professionalism - advanced

    5. problem solving and decision making - advanced

    6. numeracy - advanced

    7. digital Literacy - advanced

    8. literacy and communication - advanced

    For employers

    If you want to take on an apprentice or improve the skills of your employees to help your business work better, the Apprenticeships programme could be for you.

    Apprenticeships for employers
    (nibusinessinfo.co.uk website)

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