Application Support Lead Apprentice – STADA Thornton & Ross – Reading, RG2 6GP – £19,500p/a – 38hrsw

You will be the first point of contact for IT support across UK GIS and STADA, while also contributing to digital transformation initiatives that improve how the business operates, including supporting the rollout of cloud platforms, assisting with workflow automation, and helping to deliver a modern, digital workplace experience for all.

• Act as the first point of contact for all UK IT support requests, ensuring every call is logged and resolved in line with agreed SLAs.
• Provide day to day technical support to end users on all UK GIS and STADA GIS systems, both remotely and face to face.
• Deliver a high standard of customer care to all colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
• Follow established Incident, Service Request, and Change Management processes.
• Escalate recurring problems and emerging trends to Senior Support Engineers and management.
• Manage own workload through effective prioritisation and time management, assigning and progressing incidents appropriately.
• Maintain accurate Software and Hardware Asset Management records.
• Order consumable items and monitor stock levels to ensure business continuity.
• Assist in Service Acceptance and Transition activities for new technologies.
• Comply with all relevant Health & Safety legislation, corporate policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Support the rollout and adoption of cloud-based platforms, including Microsoft 365 and Azure services, helping colleagues get the most from modern tools.
• Assist in designing and implementing digital workflows using tools such as Microsoft Power Automate and Power Apps to reduce manual effort and improve efficiency.
• Contribute to projects that digitise and automate existing business processes, documenting outcomes and lessons learned.
• Help colleagues adopt new digital tools through guidance, informal training, and the creation of clear, user-friendly documentation.
• Support data collection, reporting, and analytics activities — for example using Power BI or Excel — to enable evidence-based decision-making.
• Participate in IT modernisation and infrastructure upgrade projects as part of cross-functional project teams.
• Contribute to cybersecurity awareness across the organisation, helping colleagues follow best-practice digital hygiene and information security policies.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in IT processes and propose solutions aligned with the organisation's digital strategy.

The successful candidate will have:

• A keen interest in IT, technology, and digital innovation — with a desire to understand not just how systems work, but how technology can transform how organisations operate.
• Basic understanding of computer systems, networks, and cloud-based platforms.
• Awareness of Microsoft 365 and modern workplace technologies (e.g. Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive).
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical colleagues.
• A proactive and positive attitude — willing to learn, adapt, and take initiative.
• Relevant educational background in IT, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred but not essential.

Required

• Basic understanding of computer systems and networks.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook).
• Customer service orientation and professional communication.
• Workload prioritisation and time management.
• Enthusiasm for digital technology and a growth mindset.
• Commitment to organisational values.

Desirable

• Relevant qualification or educational background in IT or a related field.
• Experience or certification in IT support or related areas.
• Awareness of cloud platforms.
• Exposure to process automation tools.
• Basic understanding of data and reporting tools.
• Experience supporting digital adoption or technology change initiatives.

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Non judgemental
• Patience

• English GCSE, grade 4/C (Essential)
• Maths GCSE, grade 4/C (Essential)