In today’s fast-paced world, IT is one of the most sought-after industries to work in, thanks to the abundance of opportunities available. However, getting started in the IT industry can be daunting, especially if you have little to no experience or qualifications.
The good news is that there are a variety of entry-level positions available that allow you to gain valuable experience and qualifications, including an IT traineeship.
An IT traineeship offers a unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in the industry while also obtaining relevant qualifications. Through this article, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of starting your career with an IT traineeship, including what is on offer through an Kinetic IT traineeship.
1. An IT traineeship is a great way to learn – and fast
Traineeships provide a structured approach to learning that allows you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the IT industry. Depending on the organisation you undertake an IT traineeship with, you might find the traineeship’s structure varies from the number of teams you work with through to how many hours you spend on the job compared to studying.
Kinetic IT is one of many Australian IT companies which offers traineeships. What does a Kinetic IT traineeship look like in practice, you ask? Well, at Kinetic IT our trainees work alongside experienced professionals who will teach you the ins and outs of the job. This on-the-job training is invaluable and will help you develop skills that are not taught in a classroom.
Perth’s Eden Coelho began her IT traineeship with Kinetic IT in early 2022.
“I was in that role for about eight months, and then I stepped into my current role of subject matter expert for my team members to reach out to when they had queries about issues, or callers they might not be familiar with.”
WATCH: Meet the crew / Eden Coelho shares their Kinetic IT traineeship story (3:23)
2. You gain an IT qualification at the same time
In addition to learning on the job, traineeships also provide an opportunity to attain qualifications. As a trainee, you’ll typically work towards a nationally recognised certificate or diploma, which demonstrates your commitment to the industry and your willingness to learn. This qualification can be a significant asset when applying for future jobs, as it demonstrates your knowledge and skills in the field.
Eden said the support and industry experiences provided through her Kinetic IT traineeship and further education (TAFE) provider, made the traineeship a holistic experience.
“When the posting for this traineeship came up on SEEK, I was like, this is kind of perfect. I don’t have qualifications; this gives me a qualification and it’s a full-time job.
“So not only did I get industry experience, I got a certificate at the end, so it kind of met all the requirements I needed.”
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3. You can progress your career quickly
Another benefit of starting your IT career as a trainee is the potential for career progression.
Many traineeships are designed to provide a pathway to further education or employment. For example, some traineeships offer the opportunity to progress to a higher-level qualification or a permanent role within the company. This can be an excellent way to advance your career and develop new skills. Eden agrees:
“So both of those pathways are available to me now – I haven’t made my mind up yet but the fact that they’re both there for me is a really good thing. And it makes it feel really comfortable about whatever choice I do make.”
4. For career-switchers or non-technical people, an IT traineeship can open doors
Furthermore, traineeships often offer flexibility in terms of working hours and locations. This flexibility can be beneficial for those who have other commitments, such as family or study. Many traineeships are also paid positions, which means you can earn money while you learn.
One of the key advantages of IT traineeships is the ability to develop a broad range of skills that are transferable across many industries. For example, customer service skills are highly valued in the IT industry, and traineeships often provide opportunities to develop these skills. By developing these transferable skills, you’ll be able to apply for a range of different jobs and industries.
Eden, who studied molecular genetics and biotechnology at Curtin University, shared how she transitioned into the technology industry.
“I finished my undergraduate in 2020 and my plan was to do my masters. That plan didn’t work out, so I sought out a retail job in the interim. I moved down to Margaret River as part of my retail job to set up a store down there. I was there for six months but I really missed Perth, my family and friends, so I quit and moved back.
“When I quit my job, I didn’t have another job lined up, so I spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do and I thought, ‘What are my passions or my interests?'”
“I’ve always had an interest in computers. When I was a teenager, I did a bit of HTML coding and I always thought it was very interesting. I did some computer-based activities through my degree, too, but not a whole lot. But I thought, you know what, I like it, it’s interesting to me, the IT industry is huge and it’s just going to keep expanding.”
Eden said she went for the IT traineeship because she could gain a qualification and work a paid full-time job, too. Eden highlighted the importance of soft skills in the technology industry, which she gained through her previous work experience in retail and hospitality.
“Coming from a background of retail and hospitality, I already had a lot of those people skills like conflict de-escalation, problem solving, managing people’s expectations, things like that. So, I think my background in customer service, customer facing work really helped me transition into IT.”
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5. Work alongside IT industry experts and the best in the business
Finally, starting your IT career as a trainee provides an excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals.
During your traineeship, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and work alongside people who are already established in the industry. This networking can be invaluable when it comes to finding future job opportunities or progressing your career.
“Having a qualification in IT has already opened so many doors for me because people recognise I have experience, and knowing I gained the qualification through a traineeship shows I have industry experience alongside the learning I did at TAFE. It makes me a much more attractive candidate to potential employers as they know I had standard industry experience.
“I’m a tactile learner so the fact my in-class learning was complemented by on-the-job learning was so beneficial for me. Not only was I applying what I learned in class to my actual job, I was finding things at work that I could ask my lecturer about.”
At Kinetic IT, Eden gets to work alongside industry experts across a range of disciplines from IT service management, cyber security, cloud and more. It’s these connections and experiences that can set you up for success through an IT traineeship.
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Think an IT traineeship is for you?
Starting your IT career as a trainee can be an excellent way to gain valuable experience, qualifications, and skills. Traineeships provide a structured approach to learning, offer the potential for career progression, and allow you to develop a broad range of skills that are transferable across many industries. Additionally, traineeships offer flexibility in terms of working hours and locations and provide an opportunity to network with industry professionals.
So, if you’re considering starting your IT career, why not consider a traineeship? It could be the perfect way to kick-start your career in this exciting and ever-evolving industry.
Find out more about Kinetic IT traineeships on our careers website.
