Therefore, if you are looking for a challenging role to get your teeth and technical know-how stuck into, you’ve come to the right place. Network engineering is an important part of any business with a thriving IT department and computer system. Whether you want to be involved in the implementation, maintenance, support, development or even the design of networks, you will find what you want in this kind of position. When a company’s network is not functioning as effectively, efficiently and as smoothly as it should be, it can cost a loss of productivity and profits. As an apprentice Network Engineer you’ll learn how to design, develop, and maintain networks and systems.

The network is what connects all the PC’s and servers together, internet access, links to remote sites, wireless, adsl links etc etc. Most entrants have a degree (SCQF Levels 9-11), HND or HNC in a relevant subject such as computer systems, network technology, software engineering, electronic engineering or business information systems. Experience in related areas such as IT support, service and repair can be useful if you want to move into network engineering. There are many Level 4 network engineering apprenticeship opportunities and you can search for them using Find an apprenticeship. The value of the IT infrastructure also affects salary, so network engineers in the City of London, for example, can be paid considerably more.

Qualifications

Firebrand’s apprenticeship programme covers all mandatory knowledge and skills outlined in the apprenticeship standard. Every Firebrand apprentice attends a suite of market-leading training programmes, to cover knowledge required from the apprenticeship standard. This training is then fleshed out through a package of selected online learning, which also allows apprentices to explore any topics of particular interest/importance to them in greater depth. The term Network Automation Developer has also gained in popularity and this is someone who has a stronger focus on programming normally in Python or Golang. There is a crossover now between network engineers who know a bit of development and developers who know a bit of network engineering. Now in a small company the network might just consist of one switch to connect 20 PCs, one server, and internet connection and maybe a wireless router.

Senior network engineers can earn from £50,000 to in excess of £70,000 a year. Salaries for experienced contract workers may be higher and rates can vary from £175 to in excess of £500 per day. You’ll offer support to users, who can be staff, clients, customers and suppliers and troubleshoot any problems. You can begin your career as a Network Engineer with only basic IT skills. However, you are more than likely to start your career in an entry-level IT role as a Junior Network Support Engineer. With experience you can progress into becoming a fully-fledged Network Engineer. CCDE and CCIE – Cisco’s expert level networking certifications are regarded as the most prestigious in their field and are intended for those that have many years worth of experience under their belts.

Courses for Network Engineers

Completing your Cisco CCENT and CCNA Network Engineer training will see you gaining certifications that are recognised the world over and will certainly lend a hand in starting a career as a Network Engineer. It also deals with troubleshooting of networks as well as implementing effective security windows network engineer measures, working with wireless technology, working with WAN VLAN , SNMP and OSPF routing protocol. After you have passed your CCENT exam, you will have gained the ability to work with small enterprise networks, providing you with the perfect base from which to build your networking career.

The combination of CompTIA, Microsoft, Cisco & ITIL courses is what gives our students the well-rounded knowledge needed to become job-ready. You can log into the portal at anytime, meaning this can be completed around any full time job. The emphasis of Step 1 is to learn all of the theory before beginning practical training. This takes around six weeks of full-time study or twelve weeks of part-time study to complete. Our cutting edge live lab will give you the practical hands-on training that you will require from the comfort of your own home. Live-Lab is real computer equipment networked together and conveniently accessible over the internet.

How to become a network engineer

You have to consider though if you are going for a job against another CCIE what other skills they are bringing. As for family / time etc that is a discussion you need to have with them, the main point is to have them on board and that they are prepared for you to be studying for many nights and weekends. Im thinking of making the giant leap and pursue my CCIE (R&S) – i have my CCNA (R&S, Security) CCNP (R&S) and have around 8 years in networking – doing R&S, Firewalling . Sign up on twitter and say that you are going for your CCNA, you will soon meet others who are also studying for the exam.

Once you have completed your modules and milestones, you’ll then move to your End Point Assessment which is typically made up of an interview and a project. Once you pass this stage, you will receive your apprenticeship qualification with us.