Meet Dylan, one of Middlesbrough College’s IT Operations Technicians!
Dylan Welikela started his journey at Middlesbrough College as a student, studying Level 3 Networking and System Security, before joining the internal Marketing Team as a Digital Marketing apprentice. After successfully completing his apprenticeships, Dylan secured a full-time position in the College’s Digital Services team, supporting staff and students with everything digital.
“I chose a Digital Marketing apprenticeship because I believed it would provide me with access to the digital industry and help me secure a full-time position. It was a natural transition for me, as I was already a student at Middlesbrough College, so knew the college well.
“During my apprenticeship in the Marketing department, I significantly improved my communication skills. This experience helped me come out of my shell and engage more confidently with various people and departments, especially during social and open events. These skills have been invaluable in my current role, which requires extensive communication with both staff and students.
“Another key skill I developed is the use of digital signage. I am particularly proud of this achievement, as I played a crucial role in collaborating with a new company to enhance our digital signage system within the College. I had the pleasure of setting it up and distributing it across the entire campus, which has been incredibly beneficial.
“My favourite part of the apprenticeship was working alongside such a creative team. They were always willing to help elevate my skills and improve my creativity by collaborating on projects and giving me more responsibility for tasks such as social media content for open events and planning.
“In my current role, my day-to-day tasks include maintaining and fixing IT issues for both staff and students. I troubleshoot any problems they report and ensure they can get up and running as soon as possible. I also upgrade or switch equipment to make it easier for lecturers to teach and ensure they can conduct their classes without issues. Additionally, I continue to work on digital signage and train departments to use the technology for their needs and produce the content they want.
“I would definitely recommend apprenticeships to others, as they help you enter the industry and work your way up while learning on the job. They provide a foundation of skills that you can improve upon and refine in the areas you enjoy and want to specialise in.
“My advice to future apprentices is to learn as much as you can and get involved in everything. It’s a great opportunity to learn about many different things and be involved in various projects, which can help you gain a range of skills useful in many areas. It also helps you find your favourite aspects, which you can then choose to specialise or focus on.”
Apprenticeship: Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Level 3
Looking for a role at the Middlesbrough College Group? Take a look at our latest job vacancies here