Callum Rogers
Network & Technical Field Manager, Polaris Central Services
Apprenticeship Completed: February 2015
When did you complete your apprenticeship?
I started as an IT Service Desk Analyst Apprentice on 10/02/2014 when I was 17 years old, My apprenticeship was over a 12 month period completing it 10/02/2015. The business offered me a full time role as an IT Service Desk Analyst. During the first 3 months of my apprenticeship I worked in the office 3 days a week and college 2 days a week. The business then requested I work in the office 5 days a week with dedicated time to complete my college course work, by month 6 I had completed the full 12 month course work and maintained a full time position as the IT Service Desk Analyst apprentice.
How have you progressed in the business since completing your apprenticeship?
I completed my apprenticeship in Feburary 2015 where I was offered a full time role as a Service desk analyst. I maintained this role for 2 years where I furthered my knowledge and progressed into a senior service desk analyst role in Feburary 2017. During my time as a Senior Service desk analyst I assisted the technical field engineer on site visits globally and realised I enjoyed working out in the regions and at the time international companies. I informed my line manager of my interest in the technical field engineer role. I was then promoted to Technical Field Engineer in October 2017. I maintained the role as technical field engineer for 4 years, I was then promoted to Senior Technical field engineer in December 2021. I held the Senior Technical Field engineer role for just under 1 year when I was promoted to my current position of Network & Technical Field Manager.
What attracted you to an apprenticeship at Polaris?
IT is a requirement in most industries. When I was searching for an apprenticeship I came across multiple industry types until I came across Polaris. My attraction to Polaris was the fact it’s a business with a genuine purpose/Goal of helping Young people. The interview I had for Polaris also stood out for me above the other interviews I had experienced at the time as I was made to feel as though I would be part of the team opposed to another ‘Number’.
What three life skills did an apprenticeship help you develop?
The three main life skills I developed during my apprenticeship was:
Communication, problem solving & Teamwork.
What one piece of advice would you give someone thinking
about an apprenticeship?
Don’t underestimate yourself. One of my biggest fears when searching for an apprenticeship was not having the skills to fulfill the role. As an apprentice the expectation isn’t to posses the skills required it’s to be willing to learn the skills required. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to train and develop you for the role/business. As long as you stay open minded and are willing to learn you will do fine.
What has been your proudest achievement since you started at Polaris?
Working my way up to a management role is my proudest achievement.
What are your aspirations for the future?
My future aspirations are to grow the network and Field team and ultimately manage a bigger team.