As part of National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration of the positive impact apprenticeships make on individuals, businesses, and communities, we’re shining a spotlight on our own future talent by catching up with each of our four apprentices. Read below to hear from Freddi Nye – Apprentice ICT Technician.
What made you want to apply for an apprenticeship?
I’ve always wanted a real-world opportunity; something that would give me both education and hands‑on experience. An apprenticeship felt like the perfect balance; I still get to learn in college, but I also gain practical skills, workplace experience, and real connections.
For wheelchair users, these opportunities can be harder to come by, so when I heard about this apprenticeship, I didn’t hesitate. I grabbed it straight away because I knew how valuable it could be.
What’s been your favourite project or task so far, and why?
Managing the helpdesk. You get to speak to new people and learn alongside them. You can explore deeper into the problem and provide documents and create processes to help them in the future.
I also really enjoy the daily system checks. They give me a sense of responsibility because I’m monitoring backups, storage, and making sure everything is running smoothly. It’s one of my biggest ongoing duties, and I take pride in it.
Another thing I enjoy doing is helping people with their screens, for example if it is blurry, and they are trying to fix the brightness but actually the resolution needing fixing so I was able to do that. Sometimes you get problems that you need to do extensive research on, or you have to sit there for hours and help find out what the problem is so you can fix it.
What’s a skill you’ve developed that you didn’t expect to learn?
I’ve always been good at communication, but working here has taken it to another level. I talk to so many different people across the business, and it’s helped me become clearer, more confident, and more adaptable.
Another big improvement has been timekeeping. I used to struggle with managing my time and workload, but being in a professional environment has helped me become more organised, productive, and refreshed overall.
How has your apprenticeship changed the way you see your future career?
Definitely. There was a point before I found this apprenticeship where I was losing my love for IT. I have found this apprenticeship has opened my eyes. Seeing it work in real life has shown me the possibilities of my IT career options. You see it work in real life. Just doing it has helped me get a lot more passionate than I was beforehand.
What advice would you give someone considering an apprenticeship?
Don’t be afraid of what’s ahead. Apprenticeships are an amazing gateway into the working world. You learn the foundational principles of work, but in a more supportive environment. You still have the comfort and routine of college learning, but you also gain real-life experience that you can’t get at school.
Some people think apprenticeships are more pressured, but I’ve found them to be a healthy balance: professional, structured, but not overwhelming.
If you could describe your apprenticeship experience in three words, what would they be?
Engaging. Interesting. Supportive.
What opportunities are you excited about next?
Gaining more responsibility over systems. I feel like the more I grow in this business the more responsibility I am going to get and I am excited about being able to influence systems and push my technique and skill further.
How do you hope to make an impact in your industry?
I hope to help expand accessibility for people with disabilities in the Port. I’m the first wheelchair user here, and I want my apprenticeship to show others, especially other wheelchair users, that opportunities like this are possible.
If my journey can inspire someone else to pursue an apprenticeship or role they didn’t think was open to them, that would mean a lot to me.