Digital and Technology Solutions Professional (IT Consultant) - Degree Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship Summary
The Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship offers an exciting pathway for those passionate about transforming businesses through technology. This apprenticeship prepares individuals to become versatile Digital and Technology Solutions Professionals (DTSPs), who play a vital role in organisations across all sectors—from banking and healthcare to engineering and retail. For employers, offering this apprenticeship means developing skilled professionals who can drive innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage using digital solutions.
One key role within this apprenticeship is the IT consultant—a dynamic problem solver who bridges the gap between business needs and technology. IT consultants combine expertise in business analysis, cyber security, data, network infrastructure, and solutions development to understand core challenges and advise on the best technology strategies. They are trusted advisors who guide organisations through digital transformation, helping to redesign processes, improve structures, and boost productivity. By delivering tailored technology solutions and innovative customer experiences, IT consultants empower businesses to adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
For apprentices, this apprenticeship offers the chance to develop a broad and valuable skill set, gaining hands-on experience while working alongside industry experts. Graduates emerge ready to influence decision-making, lead change, and provide strategic insights that have a real impact. Whether you are an employer looking to nurture future digital leaders or an apprentice eager to make a difference, this apprenticeship is your gateway to a rewarding and forward-thinking career in IT consultancy and beyond.
Entry Requirements
If you're fascinated by data and technology and wish to influence strategic decision-making in businesses, then the Digital and Technology Solutions Professional apprenticeship could be the perfect fit for you. This course will equip you with skills to gather, organise, and analyse data, providing invaluable insights to help your organisation respond swiftly to market trends.
You'll be positioned at the intersection of real-time data proliferation and business strategy, enabling you to anticipate and manage demand, costs, and revenue, while identifying potential risks and opportunities. Perfect for those aiming to work in technology-focused roles, this apprenticeship can set you on a path to making a significant impact within your organisation through digital and technological advancements.
Apprenticeship standard dates
| Start date | Location | Duration / Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
21 Sep 2026
|
Online
|
/
£9,000
|
|
|
11 Jan 2027
|
Online
|
/
£9,000
|
|
|
21 Sep 2027
|
Online
|
/
£0
|
|
|
11 Jan 2028
|
Online
|
/
£0
|
Next steps
As an Employer
If you would like to offer this as an apprenticeship vacancy within your organisation, enrol one of your existing employees on this apprenticeship or simply find out more about supporting an apprenticeship within your organisation, please complete the Enquire Now form above and a member of our Business Development Team will be in touch within 2 working days to advise you on next steps.
As an Apprentice
If you are interested in securing an apprenticeship as an IT Consultant, please visit our Vacancies page to check for any suitable roles.
If there are currently no roles available, please submit an enquiry form using the Enquire Now button above to register your interest. We will use this information to let you know when a suitable vacancy becomes available and also to advise you of any courses we offer that might advance your career goals in the meantime.
Key information
How will the Apprenticeship be funded?
As the employer
How your apprenticeship is funded will depend on whether or not you pay the Apprenticeship Levy. If you do pay the Levy, your apprenticeship will be funded out of this, provided you have sufficient monies available. If you do not pay the Apprenticeship Levy, 95% of the apprenticeship will be funded by the Government, with the remaining 5% being funded by you. There may also be some further incentives offered by the Government which we will be able to advise you of when setting up your apprenticeship. Either way, B&FC's Business Development Team will be on hand to help you navigate the funding arrangements and support you through this process.
As the apprentice
One of the benefits of an apprenticeship is that, as the apprentice, you are not required to fund your training. You will also receive a wage for the work that you do with minimum hourly rates set by the Government. Your employer can choose to pay you more than the minimum wage, but they cannot pay you less. For details of current minimum wage rates for apprentices, please visit the Government website.
Terms and conditions
Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.
What will my Apprentice learn?
Knowledge
Your apprentice will develop a strong understanding of:
- How to analyse business operations, processes, and requirements through client interviews and gap analysis to identify digital and technology improvements aligned with short- and long-term business goals.
- The full lifecycle of business and technology requirements management, from gathering and documenting needs to managing changes throughout a project using various methodologies and techniques.
- Translating business needs into functional and technical specifications, including creating logical data models, system architecture, and managing key technical risks.
- Principles of designing, testing, installing, and monitoring new digital and technology systems and processes that solve business problems effectively.
- Techniques for generating, developing, and winning new digital and technology business by leveraging intellectual capital and innovative approaches.
- Designing and delivering training and support to users and consultants, facilitating smooth adoption of digital solutions.
- Communication strategies to produce professional documentation, reports, and presentations that effectively engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- The broader business and digital context, including current industry best practices, emerging trends, ethics, and legal responsibilities.
Skills
Your apprentice will learn how to:
- Conduct thorough client interviews and stakeholder analysis to identify and clarify digital and technology business goals and requirements.
- Perform gap analysis against industry best practices to highlight areas for improvement and innovation.
- Document, manage, and track digital and technology requirements throughout the project lifecycle using appropriate methodologies and tools.
- Develop, design, test, install, and monitor new digital systems and business processes tailored to client needs.
- Generate, develop, and secure new business opportunities through strategic consulting and innovative solution design.
- Create and deliver training programs for users and other consultants, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and adoption of digital solutions.
- Identify and manage key technical risks during project delivery and system implementation.
- Communicate clearly and professionally through detailed reports, presentations, and documentation for diverse audiences.
- Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders to align project goals and ensure successful outcomes.
Behaviours
Apprentices will demonstrate:
- A professional and ethical approach, respecting client confidentiality, data protection, and industry standards.
- Proactive accountability, taking initiative to solve complex business challenges and recommend practical solutions.
- Adaptability and resilience, maintaining focus and composure amid changing business needs and technologies.
- Strong collaboration skills, building and nurturing relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
- A growth mindset, actively seeking feedback and learning opportunities to improve consultancy skills.
- Attention to detail, ensuring thorough analysis, precise documentation, and rigorous testing.
- Clear and confident communication tailored to various stakeholders, from end-users to senior executives.
- Curiosity and engagement with emerging digital technologies, industry trends, and innovative business practices.
Expert Tutors
All tutors involved in the delivery of courses and apprenticeships within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.
Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and a familiarity with professional practice. This is especially important for apprenticeships where off-the-job training needs to align with apprentices' on-the-job experience.
How will the Apprenticeship be delivered?
The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 48-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. Apprentices' time will be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme typically with four days a week spent at the employer premises learning on the job and one day a week spent off-site, undertaking classroom-based and workshop-based training at B&FC. This delivery model and the method of delivery can be varied to suit the needs of individual employers, including accommodating remote modes of study.
What support will I get from B&FC?
As the employer
Each employer is supported by an experienced member of our Business Development Team to set up their apprenticeship. For those employers who are completely new to the apprenticeship process, the Team will support them with all the necessary paperwork and administration to get their apprenticeship programme up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. For existing employers, their dedicated Client Services Manager will be an ongoing point of contact for all their apprenticeship queries, however big or small.
We can also help employers who are looking to recruit new apprentices by advertising their vacancy, finding suitable applicants and supporting them with the interview and selection process. Once an apprentice is onboard, our Curriculum Tutors and Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches also step in to support the employer-apprentice relationship and ensure the apprentice is on track to succeed.
As the apprentice
In the first instance, we aim to give potential apprentices all the support they need to find a suitable apprenticeship. That can mean working with them prior to an application to improve their CV, hone their interview skills and advise them of any additional training that may help them secure an apprenticeship vacancy.
Once they start their apprenticeship, we continue to support them with their off-site training and with regular meetings with our Apprenticeship Trainers and Skills Coaches to ensure they are progressing and acquiring all the knowledge, skills and behaviours that will ensure they complete their apprenticeship successfully.
How will the Apprenticeship be assessed?
What is an end-point assessment and why it happens
An EPA is an assessment at the end of the apprenticeship. The EPA is the apprentice's opportunity to show an independent assessor how well they can carry out the occupation they have been trained for.
The overall grades available for this apprenticeship are:
- fail
- pass
- distinction
When the apprentice passes the EPA, they will be awarded their apprenticeship certificate. To move forward to the end point assessment, the apprentice must have completed and submitted their portfolio of evidence and passed their degree qualification.
Assessment methods
Project with report
The apprentice will be asked to complete a project and write a supporting report. The report should be a maximum of 6000 words (with a 10% tolerance). The apprentice will also be asked to give a presentation in support of this report after which the independent assessor will ask at least 4 questions about the report and presentation.
Professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
The apprentice will also have a separate professional discussion with an independent assessor. It will last 60 minutes. They will ask at least 4 questions. The questions will be about certain aspects of the occupation, based on the portfolio of evidence the apprentice has compiled and which should demonstrate their competency in the knowledge, skills and behaviours of the occupational standard.