At Coriel, we believe in building talent from the ground up, giving individuals the space to learn, grow, and shape their own paths in technology. Apprenticeships in tech are central to that approach. One of our most recent apprentices, Jack Cooper, has just completed his Level 3 software apprenticeship with us. We sat down with Jack to hear about his experience, what he’s learned, and what’s next.
Jack, when did you join Coriel, and what do you remember about your first day?
“I joined Coriel just over a year ago now, it was Monday 1st July. I hadn’t even been on-site before. I just turned up at the office, and Mark came out and greeted me. That was it. It was very hands-on from the start.
I was kind of thrown straight in, but in a good way. You’re expected to do your best and learn as much as you can as you go. That worked really well for me.”
Had you been working before that, or did you come straight from education?
“I followed a traditional route, I did sixth form, got my A-levels, and went to university to study game design. But after my first year, I realised it just wasn’t right for me.
It wasn’t what I expected, and I didn’t feel like I was learning in the way I wanted to. I needed something more applied and structured. So I left and took at job in a healthcare setting for a couple of years, and then I decided to look for an apprenticeship.”
How does the apprenticeship work in terms of training and study time?
“It’s all online. You get around three hours per lesson, and they’re all guided. You don’t need to prep anything, you just join the session, and the tutor walks you through everything. It’s mainly focused on building your portfolio, but you also learn loads of practical skills and theory.
We covered the fundamentals of IT: things like servers, networking, disaster recovery planning, legislation – all the building blocks. And because I was applying that in real work at Coriel, it made it much easier to understand and remember.”
What kind of projects have you worked on during your time here?
“It’s varied a lot. I’ve done everything from maintaining internal systems to helping upgrade existing platforms. I’m about to start my final project now, which involves maintaining or upgrading a system to demonstrate the skills I’ve built during my apprenticeship.
The learning curve has been steep, but I’ve enjoyed it. You’re trusted to get involved in real work from day one, which makes a big difference.”
And what have you learned about yourself through all this?
“Probably more than I expected!
One of the biggest lessons is that it’s OK to get things wrong. There were times when I’d mess up and really beat myself up about it – asking myself why I’d made a mistake or done something a certain way.
But I’ve realised that’s just part of it. You have to fail sometimes to really learn. What matters is how you reflect on it and what you do next. If the same situation comes up again, you do it better. That mindset shift has been massive for me.
This is an important part of Coriel’s culture, and it should be a key part of any engineering-focussed organisation. Afterall making mistakes provides opportunities to learn, improve and anticipate.
Another big thing is confidence. I used to question myself a lot more – now, I trust that I can figure things out. And I know when to ask for help, too.”
What’s next for you at Coriel?
“I’m staying on, definitely! After I finish my Level 3, I plan to start a Level 4 apprenticeship. I’ve already reached Gateway, and my final project is the last piece of that puzzle.
For Level 4, I’ve got a few options. The training provider has offered routes into things like cybersecurity and networking, and I’m leaning towards cybersecurity at the moment. It’s such a high-demand area, and I think it would really round out my skills.
That said, I’ll stay open-minded – things could still change depending on what opportunities come up and where I feel I can grow most.”
Would you recommend the apprenticeship route to others?
“Absolutely, especially if you learn better by doing. Apprenticeships in tech give you that hands-on experience.
University works for some people, but it wasn’t the right fit for me. At Coriel, I’ve had the chance to contribute to real projects, build a proper skillset, and figure out where I want to go next – all while earning and learning.
And I’ve had great support here. You’re not left to figure everything out alone. There’s a strong team around you, and that makes all the difference.”
Any advice for the new apprentice joining soon?
“Yeah – don’t put too much pressure on yourself. You’re going to make mistakes, and that’s fine. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Just stay curious, ask questions, and keep showing up.
It takes time to get things right, but if you stick with it and keep learning, you’ll get there. That’s something I’ve learned the hard way – but it’s been worth it.”
Thanks, Jack – and congrats on completing your Level 3! We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next for you.
At Coriel, we’re proud to support early-career talent through apprenticeships in tech, helping shape the next generation of problem-solvers, coders, and creators. If you’re interested in starting your journey, follow us on LinkedIn or get in touch.