IT Apprentice | £17,000 + excellent benefits | Full-time | Onsite

Start your career in tech with hands‑on experience and real impact…

Are you curious about how IT systems work? Do you enjoy solving problems and helping people? Looking to kickstart your tech career with practical experience and professional qualifications? This could be the perfect opportunity for you.

At Thatcham Research, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and motivated IT Apprentice to join our friendly IT Services team. You’ll work alongside experienced professionals who will support your development every step of the way, helping you build the technical skills and confidence needed for a successful career in IT. You’ll work towards the ICT Apprenticeship Level 3, which typically takes 18-24 months to achieve.

What you'll be doing:

You’ll play a key role in keeping our people connected and our technology running smoothly. During your apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to:

• Set up and maintain IT hardware, software, mobile devices and user accounts

• Provide first‑ and second‑line support, helping colleagues troubleshoot issues in person, remotely or via our service desk

• Monitor system performance, support security processes and help manage our IT asset register

• Create useful documentation and knowledge base articles

• Develop strong customer service and communication skills as you assist users at all levels of the business

• Understand cybersecurity fundamentals and follow best‑practice standards

You’ll be supported by your line manager, mentors, and the wider IT Services team — including specialists in cloud, security and IT transformation.

Skills & experience you might have:

You don’t need previous IT work experience - just a passion for technology and a willingness to learn. You’ll thrive if you have:

• An interest in IT fundamentals (hardware, software, networks, operating systems)

• Problem‑solving skills and a logical approach

• Confidence communicating with both technical and non‑technical people

• A positive attitude and desire to grow your skills

• GCSEs in English and Maths (Grade 4/C or above) or equivalent (desired but not essential)

We’ll help you build essential technical skills throughout your apprenticeship, including troubleshooting, system administration, Microsoft 365, Active Directory, Azure, Intune and more.

Why join us?

• A supportive environment designed to help you learn and succeed

• Real responsibilities from day one

• Opportunities to work with experienced IT professionals

• A chance to make a meaningful contribution to our operations

• Structured training that builds toward recognised industry standards

• A welcoming, collaborative culture where your development truly matters

Perks & Benefits

Starting salary - £17,000.

• 10% non-contributory pension

• 29 days holiday (inclusive of Christmas shutdown) + public holidays

• Group Life Assurance (equal to 4 x basic salary)

• Group Income Protection (after 6 months’ service)

• Salary Sacrifice schemes (cycle to work, home & tech scheme)

• Enhanced and competitive parental leave for all parents, regardless of gender or family structure

• Moneyhealth’s Financial Coaching & Wellbeing Platform

• Health Cash Plan (cash back on eligible medical treatments)

• Benenden Health Care (opt-in benefit)

• Reward & Recognition Programme

• Discounted gym membership

• Sports & Social club

• Payroll charitable giving

• Subsidised on-site restaurant

• Free on-site parking

When we work

Our standard working hours are 8:30 - 16:30 Monday - Thursday, early finish on Friday - 8:30 - 15:45 (Talk to us about flexible working if this doesn’t quite suit you – we take work-life balance seriously!)

How we work

This role is based on-site, so you’ll be expected to work from our office in Thatcham.

Getting to site

• 1 mile to nearest train station (20-minute walk)

• 0.2 miles to nearest bus station

• Free on-site parking

What we do

At the cutting edge of automotive research in the UK, Thatcham Research has a unique role in shaping the design of new vehicles and influencing ever higher standards of safety, security and repair. With an on-site Crash Laboratory, Repair Technology Centre and Training Academy, our research expertise is driving some of the very latest automotive developments in technology, materials and standards in this fast moving and highly technical industry.

Our Gamston facility is one of the UK’s leading sites for active safety, trialling and assessing the latest crash avoidance and driver assistance technologies.

Our Values

As an organisation that believes a strong set of Values are key to our organisational success and a sense of belonging for all colleagues, we ask that you understand, represent and apply our Values of Fearless, Inquisitive, Resourceful, Supportive and Trusted and demonstrate these Values throughout the recruitment process.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace which values diversity and embraces each individual's authentic self. We are proud to champion a culture where colleagues freely share their diverse perspectives, recognising that these contribute to our innovative spirit. Our journey of growth and understanding is continuous as we actively invest in diversity training, workshops, and partnerships to ensure positive change.

Beyond our partnerships with the Automotive 30% Club and Women in Data (WiD), we collaborate with various organisations to advance equity not only in gender but also across ethnicity, age, disability, social mobility, LGBTQ+ identities, experiences, and thinking. Our aspiration is to create an environment where everyone thrives, achieves, and experiences a genuine sense of belonging.

Recruitment process

We’re proud to manage our recruitment in-house and believe this direct approach enables us to give you the best possible Employee Experience we can – which starts right here, your application! We’re continuously striving to improve the candidate journey, and transparency (or communication) is a key area of focus – yes, even with salary & benefits.

What can you expect from our recruitment process?

• Regular updates on the progress / outcome of your application

• An initial telephone screening call with a Talent Acquisition Partner

• First interview with the hiring manager, usually via Teams

• Second/Final interview, in-person at our office (we may give you a role specific task to present on!)

• Personalised feedback following your interview – because everyone deserves that!

• An opportunity to give us your honest feedback in a short survey on all of the above

Check out our post on using AI during your application and interview!

We’re committed to removing barriers. If there are any adjustments we can make to better support you, please let us know when you apply.

All applicants must have Right to Work in the UK.

If you're experiencing any issues with our career site or application from, please let us know here: careers@thatcham.org ⁠