To mark ‘National Apprenticeship Week 2026’, we’re celebrating the apprentices who help make Meridian Trust such a dynamic place to work. For this ‘Meridian Journeys’ feature, we caught up with Callum Knowles, now a 1st Line IT Technician, to hear about his journey from IT apprentice to qualified technician, and how hands-on experience has shaped his career and confidence along the way.
Callum, why did you decide to do an apprenticeship rather than another training or study route?
I chose to do an apprenticeship because it felt like the best entry point into the IT industry. It allowed me to gain real, hands-on experience in a live working environment while developing the theoretical knowledge alongside it. Technology moves so quickly that spending several years purely studying didn’t appeal to me. By learning on the job, I could build relevant skills and work with up-to-date technologies. It felt like a far more practical path into my career.
What does a typical day look like for you as a 1st Line IT Technician with Meridian Trust?
There really isn’t a “typical” day, and that’s one of the things I enjoy most. I support the Trust’s external schools, so every day brings something different. One day, I might be office-based, working through remote support tickets, and the next, I could be on-site resolving a major issue such as a school-wide internet outage. It’s a varied and fast-moving role that keeps me constantly learning.
How has Meridian Trust supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
Meridian Trust has supported me from day one, starting with giving me the opportunity to begin my career through the apprenticeship. My Line Manager played a big part in helping me balance my workload and coursework, making sure I planned my time effectively. The Trust has continued to invest in my development and has recently enrolled me on to the next level of my apprenticeship. I also nominated Meridian Trust for the Baltic “Employer of the Year” award, and they won! That recognition reflected the outstanding support I’ve received.
What’s been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship, and what’s been the biggest challenge?
The most rewarding part was definitely completing my apprenticeship with a Distinction. It was a proud moment knowing the hard work had paid off. The biggest challenge came towards the end, during my End Point Assessment, which coincided with summer projects and school reopenings. With good planning and strong support from my Line Manager, I managed to stay on track and meet all my goals.
How do you think your apprenticeship has helped you grow personally and professionally?
Professionally, I developed my technical skills through research, hands-on experience, and formal learning. I also completed several Microsoft courses and gained industry-recognised certifications that have boosted my confidence. On a personal level, meeting other apprentices across the country helped build my communication skills and confidence. It was great to learn from others in similar roles and share experiences.
What are your ambitions for the future?
I’ve recently enrolled on to the Level 4 Networking Apprenticeship, which covers more advanced topics and will help me move towards a Second Line Technician role. Long-term, I’d love to pursue a degree apprenticeship, potentially within cybersecurity. For now, my focus is on excelling in my Level 4 course and aiming for another Distinction.
How important do you think employer support and mentoring are for making apprenticeships a success?
Employer support is absolutely vital. Having a supportive Line Manager made a huge difference, especially when workloads were high or deadlines were tight. Together we planned ahead to ensure both my work and apprenticeship tasks were completed to a high standard. My apprenticeship coach and training provider, Baltic, was also brilliant, and their guidance played a huge part in helping me achieve a Distinction.
This year’s National Apprenticeship Week celebrates how apprenticeships can transform careers. What would you say to other young people thinking about starting one?
I’d say go for it! My apprenticeship was a fantastic start to my IT career and gave me invaluable hands-on experience alongside theory. Being part of a supportive team made a huge difference. The apprenticeship experience opened the door to many opportunities, and I was fortunate enough to secure a permanent role at the end of it. It gave me a genuine career path, not just a qualification.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self, just starting out on the apprenticeship?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, because they’re part of the process. You’re not expected to know everything at the start. Stay positive, keep pushing through challenges, and take every opportunity that comes your way. I took part in every extra course and certification offered, and each one helped me progress further. Hard work really does pay off.
Callum’s journey with Meridian Trust is a brilliant example of how apprenticeships can open doors to exciting and fulfilling careers. If you’re interested in studying an apprenticeship in the future, speak to your HR colleague or contact us at recruitment@meridiantrust.co.uk.