It’s impossible to ignore the rise of information computer technology in society.

Almost every business will require IT support functions in its day-to-day operations. From staff intranets to e-commerce and data management systems – companies have IT departments (or outsource help) to assist with the smooth running of their business.

You can choose between two pathways: system support and software development.

A career in system support is an important one: As reliance on computer technology grows, so does the demand for technical experts to keep them running efficiently.

As a software developer, you can look forward to an exciting and creative career. You could choose to specialise in animation, games design or website development.

Many people choose to work independently, but there’s also opportunities to work as part of a team, or to work remotely – stationed in one country, but sending work to another!

Computer science students at West Notts will study at the main Derby Road campus – with access to three floors of dedicated suites for developing computer games, web development and computer planning. There are also four laboratories for students to practically dismantle, rebuild and repair computer hardware.

Computer sciences courses lead on to higher-level study, apprenticeships and employment.

Technical students head to national competitions

Regional heats of the World Skills IT competitions were held at Bedford College in June 2015, and saw BTEC Diploma in IT students Andy Gardner, Michael Dodds, Kalum Pepperday and Callum Key putting their skills to the test in the IT Support Technician and Network System Administrator categories.

Coming first in the Network System Administrator challenge was Andy Gardner, 18, who was challenged to set up and configure a Windows server operating system, including group policies, printer services, user accounts and additional services such as remote desktop.

Taking the first place position in the IT Support Technician challenge was Kalum Pepperday, 17, who was asked to build computers, configure an operating system and other software, create basic networks and link communication across computers.

After scooping first places in the day-long competitions, Andy and Kalum could attend Birmingham NEC in November to undertake similar challenges against seven other competitors.

If their skills prove to be the best then they will stand a chance of being recruited into the WorldSkills UK team and go on to compete in the WorldSkills competition in Abu Dhabi in 2017.