Rene Lewis is director of digital services at Manchester’s higher education disruptor, University Academy 92 (UA92).
To mark National Apprenticeship Week (10-14 February), Prolific North has teamed up with University Academy 92 (UA92) to takeover our regular features.
Here, Lewis shares his career journey and some savvy words of advice…
How did you first get into your industry?
I was always quite interested in IT. At college, I did BTEC IT and knew from then that it was a career I wanted to get into. Whilst I was at college, I had a part-time job at a computer shop called ‘Tiny Computers’ and it was at a time when personal computers were just coming out, so it was really exciting for me to see. I found it fascinating how computers could be these great tools that enable people to do so much – even start their own businesses. This experience ignited my enthusiasm for IT and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What do you love about your job?
I love that you can empower everyone with IT. Technology can remove barriers, whether for individuals with learning difficulties or those with disabilities. It opens up new possibilities, enabling people to overcome challenges and achieve their goals. For example, implementing systems that make education more accessible for students with learning difficulties can have a profound impact. That, to me, is one of the most special and rewarding things about my job and I love it.
Who – or what – has inspired you in your career?
My mentor, Lloyd Davies. I worked at Bupa for around 10 years, an organisation where I started as a 2nd/3rd line technician and worked myself up to technical manager. He was one of the first senior people that saw potential in me and because of this, he made sure I stayed on the right path. He is someone that has helped me navigate my career, put me forward for opportunities and someone that I can bounce ideas off too. He has been my mentor for the last 15 years, and I would even now call him a friend. Like me, Lloyd started his career in an entry-level role and worked his way up to managing large teams and complex IT infrastructures. I have always found him inspiring.
What are the biggest challenges about your job?
One of the biggest challenges in IT is keeping pace with its rapid evolution. IT is an ever-changing sector, and you need to make sure that the business can travel at its own pace, but still keep relevant.
A great example of this is AI. I have to think about how we as a business can keep up with the use of AI technology, but also recognise what is not relevant for the business at this moment in time. Something that can be linked to this too is cost saving challenges and making sure people are given the right tools and technologies they need to flourish. This challenge only gets greater as things become more costly and we pay a premium around things such as AI and making AI.
Alongside making sure the business stays relevant, you also have to make sure your people are keeping their own skills updated too in such a fast-paced sector.
What skills have been the most crucial to you succeeding in your career so far?
Definitely my people skills! While learning IT and gaining technical expertise have been valuable, my ability to connect with others has played a pivotal role for me. Networking has been integral to everything I do, enabling me to build relationships across all levels of the organisation. I’ve always prioritised treating everyone with respect, whether they’re in senior leadership or entry-level roles: it is integral to everything I do.
What was your first salary and what could someone getting into the industry expect to earn nowadays?
My first salary was around £14,000. In those days, it was enough for me to afford a mortgage! Things are a bit different now, and today the minimum wage for someone on a UA92 apprenticeship scheme for example is around £23,000. Someone who is getting into 1st/2nd line support roles would be looking at something between £25 – £30,000, dependent on experience and qualifications.
What education or training would be most useful for someone looking to follow your career path?
There are so many ways to get into IT nowadays. If traditional education is the route you wanted to go down, courses such as the ones on offer at UA92 like Computer Science and Cyber Security, would be great options. Apprenticeships are also another great route for those who would rather get stuck in straight away – this is definitely something I wish I did after college. As someone who is dyslexic and didn’t thrive in a traditional education setting, the learning on the job aspect of an apprenticeship would have been perfect.
Instead of doing an apprenticeship, I decided to go straight into work when I left college. I was a 1st line analyst when I started that job, then worked my way up the organisation over 3/4 years to become a team leader of a department. I loved learning on the job as I gained vital skills in people management, how to deliver projects, and ultimately everything you need to progress.
What advice would you have for someone looking to follow your path?
Networking, networking, networking! It is the most invaluable skill there is. In the social media age we live in, you have everything at your fingertips: there are so many free networking events put on by various organisations, you just need to find one that suits you and the field you’re looking to go into.
Going out and talking to people face to face is the best way to build your network, and the opportunities that can come from this are endless. You never know when you will be standing in front of someone at a networking event who might end up offering you a job at some point later down the line. In fact, I would say 90% of the jobs I’ve had have been opportunities that have come through to me via my network – that’s how powerful it can be!
The familiarity you have with some people can be the difference between you getting a job and not. You should always empower your network where you can, as you never know when they will need you and vice versa.
