At a Glance
- Tasks: Support digital innovation and automation across 10 countries in Europe North.
- Company: Join Sika, a global leader in specialty chemicals with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, professional development, and potential for permanent roles.
- Other info: 18-month apprenticeship with opportunities for international travel and ongoing mentoring.
- Why this job: Kickstart your tech career while making a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Passion for technology, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn.
The predicted salary is between 19350 - 23650 £ per year.
Company Description
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and automotive industry.
Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world and, in over 400 factories, produces innovative technologies for customers worldwide.
In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and vehicle industries toward greater environmental compatibility.
With more than 33,000 employees, the company generated sales of CHF 11.2 billion in 2023.
Job Description
We're looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Digital Solutions Apprentice to join our Europe North IT team based in Preston UK.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with a passion for technology, digital innovation, automation, and helping others get the most from digital tools and solutions.
As part of our EUN IT team, you'll support digital innovation, user adoption, training, and automation initiatives across 10 countries within the Europe North region.
You'll work alongside experienced IT professionals to help drive the adoption of Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot, and other digital workplace technologies while gaining valuable hands-on experience and working towards your apprenticeship qualification.
No previous experience is required.
We're looking for someone with a genuine interest in technology, a willingness to learn, strong communication skills, and a desire to help colleagues embrace new ways of working.
- What You'll Be Doing
- Support digital innovation and automation initiatives across the Europe North region.
- Identify opportunities to improve business processes through Microsoft 365 and Power Platform solutions.
- Assist with the development, testing, and deployment of digital solutions and automation tools.
- Support colleagues with digital workplace queries and provide guidance on best-practice use of technology.
- Help promote and drive adoption of Microsoft 365 applications, Power Platform solutions, and Microsoft Copilot.
- Create and maintain user guides, training materials, knowledge articles, videos, and other learning resources.
- Plan and support the delivery of training sessions, workshops, webinars, and digital awareness campaigns.
- Deliver IT induction and GDPR training sessions for new starters.
- Assist with the rollout of new technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
- Gather user feedback and contribute ideas for improving digital services and user experiences.
- Maintain documentation and contribute to the IT knowledge base to support self-service and continuous improvement.
- Work with project teams across the region to support innovative technology solutions.
What We're Looking For
We believe attitude, curiosity, and enthusiasm are more important than experience. We'd love to hear from you if you:
- Have a genuine passion for technology, digital innovation, and learning new skills.
- Enjoy solving problems and finding ways to improve processes.
- Have excellent communication skills and enjoy helping others.
- Are interested in delivering training, creating content, or sharing knowledge.
- Are organised and able to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Can work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team.
- Have a proactive mindset and are willing to take initiative.
- Are adaptable and open to learning new technologies and ways of working.
- Demonstrate attention to detail when creating solutions and documentation.
- Have a positive attitude, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn.
- Hold a full UK driving licence and are willing to travel between local sites when required.
- It Would Be Great If You Have Some Knowledge Of
- You don't need to know everything below, but any exposure would be an advantage:
- Microsoft 365 applications (Teams, Outlook, One Drive, Share Point).
- Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI).
- Microsoft Copilot and AI technologies.
- Digital workplace and collaboration tools.
- Process improvement and automation concepts.
- Creating presentations, videos, guides, or training materials.
- Basic data analysis and reporting.
- Data protection and GDPR principles.
- Learning management systems or e-learning platforms.
- What You'll Gain
- Qualification & Certification
- IT Solutions Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship.
- Comp TIA Tech+ Certification.
- Professional Development
- Hands-on experience supporting digital innovation, automation, training, and adoption initiatives across multiple countries.
- Exposure to enterprise technologies including Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Copilot, AI, automation, and digital workplace solutions.
- Opportunities to contribute to real business transformation and process improvement projects.
- Ongoing mentoring and support from experienced IT and Digital Innovation professionals.
- Development of technical, communication, training, project management, and business analysis skills.
- Potential opportunities for international travel to support training, technology rollouts, workshops, and digital transformation initiatives.
- Learning & Support
- 18-month apprenticeship programme (13-month practical learning period and 5-month End Point Assessment).
- Access to the Pluralsight learning platform, providing on-demand training resources and virtual lab environments.
- Access to the Skills Hub, including training resources, session recordings, Self-Care Corner, Meet the Team, and additional learning content.
- Participation in weekly live online learning sessions featuring interactive workshops, breakout rooms, and quiz-based learning activities.
- Opportunity to attend face-to-face workshops focused on Communication, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Creativity, and Resilience.
- Continuous learning opportunities to support your long-term career in digital transformation and technology.
- Additional Information
Why Join Us?
This apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to begin your career in one of the fastest-growing areas of IT.
You'll gain practical experience working with modern workplace technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, digital training, and business transformation while supporting colleagues across an international organisation.
If you're curious about technology, enjoy helping people, and want to develop skills that will shape the future of work, we'd love to hear from you.
Please note this is an 18-month apprenticeship programme.
Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to a permanent role within the Europe North IT team, subject to business needs and performance.
We look forward to your application. For this position visa sponsorship is not offered and only direct applications will be considered.
We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role.
Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training.
We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
EUN IT Digital Solutions Apprentice in Preston employer: Sika
Sika is an excellent employer that values its employees by offering a supportive work culture and opportunities for career progression within a global framework. With benefits such as 25 days of holiday and the flexibility of hybrid working, Sika fosters a balanced work-life environment, making it an ideal place for those looking to grow their careers while contributing to a dynamic team in Leeds.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EUN IT Digital Solutions Apprentice in Preston
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Sika values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Sika might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Sika!
✨Direct Apply to Sika
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Sika website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace EUN IT Digital Solutions Apprentice in Preston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Sika.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Sika. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sika
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
