Technical Services Academy and Placement Programme

At bet365, we believe in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background. Our Technical Academy is a testament to this commitment, offering a pathway into the IT industry for those eager to learn and grow.

What is the Technical Academy?

With the success of our industrial placement programme, the Technical Academy was launched to provide individuals with the opportunity to begin a career in IT without the need for a formal academic qualification. The academy follows the same proven model as the industrial placement programme whereby engineers receive training and twelve months of exposure in the workplace. This is split into two?parts: Service Desk and IT Support.

Service Desk

In the Service Desk, we focus on first-line resolutions, data quality and excellent customer service. Engineers learn to resolve a wide range of issues with speed and excellence, building a foundational understanding of technology.

IT Support

IT Support are our second-line team where engineers take on a more hands-on role, tackling in-depth issues, maintaining equipment, and engaging in project-based activities. This further develops their problem solving, prioritisation and time management skills.

After completing the academy, engineers have the opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate their readiness for a career at bet365, with roles available in either the Service Desk or IT Support teams.

Meet the Engineers ?

During the pandemic, finding an?IT job was challenging, and Russell found himself working in a care home. It was there that he discovered an advertisement for our Technical Academy, which offers individuals the chance to begin a career in IT without requiring previous experience. He quickly applied and made the career switch that he had always dreamed of.?

In his first six months, Russell worked on our IT Service Desk, where he took calls, handled live chats and provided?first-line technical support. He leveraged his outstanding customer service skills from his time in care, and his ability to empathise and communicate effectively made him a natural at assisting users with their issues. The training program equipped him with the technical knowledge he needed to thrive from the start. Now, as he transitions to the second phase of the academy, Russell is joining the IT support team, where he will continue to expand his technical abilities.

Russell's journey highlights how transferrable skills from his care background, such as patience, empathy and customer service have been valuable in his success.

“Over the past six months on the Service Desk, I’ve gained invaluable knowledge and experience, and I’m truly grateful to the tech academy for this opportunity. Now that I’ve transitioned to IT Support, I’m?excited to expand my skills and expertise even further.”

After studying IT in college, Darren explored university but quickly realised that the traditional academic route wasn’t for him. His older brother was an industrial placement student at the time and recommended him for the role. Darren had very little experience, having only worked part time at a fast-food chain, but had a great attitude and a genuine interest in IT.?

The first few weeks may present a steep learning curve, but Darren was unphased by the challenge. He embraced the opportunity to dive into difficult tasks, often finding himself in tricky situations, yet he knew he had the support of his team to guide him. Being undeterred allowed Darren to learn quickly and gain confidence in his ability. Within a few weeks, he was performing at the same level as engineers with years of experience.

Darren’s journey demonstrates that with the right attitude and support network, anyone can achieve a successful IT career, regardless of their starting point.

“I have really enjoyed my time on the service desk and?wish it could last longer, I am grateful to all my colleagues, seniors and the management for making my experience easier and fun whilst learning more IT skills in depth; I am most grateful to the tech academy for this opportunity.”

Will had studied IT at college but, being eager to start working, he decided against pursuing further education. This decision led to him to take on various roles, including housekeeping, assembly and labouring for a?construction company. Will was in search of a career that aligned with his passion for IT, but he was finding it difficult to find a role that didn’t require prior experience.

Will began his academy journey in IT Support, learning the role by shadowing experienced engineers. His hands-on approach to learning suited his learning style perfectly, as he was always willing to try new things and ask meaningful questions. This proactive attitude allowed him to quickly grasp the role, and he soon found himself performing at the same level as his more experienced team members. Now, Will is transitioning to the Service Desk, where he’ll focus more on quick resolutions and customer interactions.

Will’s journey illustrates that while breaking into the IT field can be difficult without prior experience, it’s not always necessary if you have the right attitude and a supportive environment.

“I've had such a great opportunity to be a part of the technical academy, everyone has been very helpful and approachable”

The Technical Academy at bet365 is more than just a training program; it's a launchpad for future IT leaders. Interested in starting your journey in IT? Explore opportunities at bet365 here and see how you can make a difference!