At Start Tech, we are proud to play a role in shaping the future of the tech industry right here in our local community. One of the most impactful ways we do this is through offering meaningful, structured work placements.
Between May and July, we were delighted to welcome students from local schools and colleges for work experience placements. These opportunities supported learners working towards their GCSEs and A-Levels, offering valuable insight into careers within the tech sector.
Throughout their 3–5 day placements, students engaged in a hands-on exploration of the IT industry. They rotated across key departments, including:
- Service Desk Support
- Infrastructure & Systems, Cybersecurity
- Project Management & Business Operations
Students contributed to real tasks such as security awareness training, shadowing ticket triage, live projects, and assisting with computer builds.
The experience offered a genuine look at day-to-day operations in a dynamic technology environment. Due to overwhelming interest, we even had to establish a reserve list, highlighting both the local demand and our growing reputation as a company that actively supports early careers.
We also received several thank you messages from school and college staff, who praised the placements for providing meaningful exposure to the tech industry.
Why do work placements matter?
Work placements create a vital bridge between the classroom and the workplace. By partnering with schools, colleges, and universities, we help students gain real-world insight into the tech sector.
It’s not enough to simply offer a desk and a laptop. Our placements are designed to give young people a genuine experience of working in tech. From shadowing technicians and learning customer service skills to tackling real IT support issues, students get a sense of what it’s really like to work in a fast-paced MSP environment. We don’t just show them the industry – we help them become part of it.
The digital world is growing rapidly, and so is the need for skilled, passionate IT professionals. By investing our time and resources in young people today, we’re helping to build a stronger, more capable workforce for tomorrow. Many of the skills we use daily are best learned through experience. Work placements are the first step for many young people in discovering and developing those skills.
Work placements aren’t just about giving back, they’re also about looking ahead. As an MSP, we’re always on the lookout for smart, motivated individuals who align with our values. Engaging with students early helps us spot emerging talent, nurture it, and even offer longer-term opportunities such as apprenticeships or employment. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
At Start Tech, we pride ourselves on being more than just a service provider. We’re community-driven, people-focused, and committed to long-term impact. Offering work placements is one of the clearest ways we can live out our values – by opening doors, creating opportunities, and helping young people realise their potential.
Apprenticeship Success: From Work Experience to Employment
A standout success story from this year is a former work experience student from 2024 who applied for our Level 3 IT Support Technician Apprenticeship. We are proud to share that Luke Plimmer has been offered the role and will be officially joining our Service Desk Team in September. This reflects the true impact of our early careers strategy and reaffirms the value of investing in future talent.
