As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week in February, we’d like to introduce Ascent’s very first apprentice, Aiden. Aiden joined Ascent’s busy IT team in September 2025 as a Cyber Security Apprentice, in partnership with Weston College.
Aiden’s manager, ICT Operations Manager, Ed Morgan, explains: “By investing in apprenticeships, Ascent aims to build a strong learning culture that promotes mentorship and leadership development. It will support community and open opportunities to people from varied backgrounds, and strengthens our reputation as an employer that attracts high quality talent and partners, while helping close the Digital divide.
“Setting up and managing an apprenticeship requires some upfront planning and ongoing guidance, but once the structure is in place it becomes a manageable part of daily operations, as the apprentice grows in capability and contributes more to the team. Anything that has value requires effort, we spend half a day per week in support as minimum.”
Apprenticeship advantages
After his A levels, Aiden was considering university, but decided to look at other options, and researched apprenticeships on the government website. He is based at Ascent’s Training Hub in Bristol, but spends one day a week at college. And as part of Ascent’s new Apprenticeship Programme, Aiden will also have an opportunity to grow his network and be part of an extended cohort within our shareholder Babcock’s apprentice community.
He said: “I was really interested in the cyber security project that Ascent offered and interested in working with the armed forces. Additionally, I liked the fact that we are constantly working with large companies, such as Babcock and Lockheed Martin. This allows me to have so many different experiences from so many different people.
“During my time with Ascent I have hands on experience with real IT projects, such as working on migration and other cyber projects, and have found Ascent to be very supportive, with trips to the sites and experiences. I really like the people/culture of the company, it’s really friendly and relatable.”
Real-world experience
Aiden says he would definitely recommend apprenticeships to anyone looking at different employment options: “100%, because learning and working inside industry can provide skills and experiences not found elsewhere,” he said.
“The benefits are that you gain real-world experience, with similar accreditation to a university degree. You can meet and work with people who have vast experiences and are experts in their field and you can learn physical skills, not found in a classroom. The challenge is that it requires time-management skills to juggle a university course, paired with a full-time job.”
Aiden, who is a keen snowboarder and golfer in his spare time, is hoping to develop his skills in IT, cyber security and AI, during his time with Ascent.
“Aiden has fitted in really well and is already a valued member of the team. He’s brought a fresh approach to thinking, has already submitted some new ideas and has recently helped the Finance department with automation using AI,” says Ed Morgan.
“I would absolutely recommend apprenticeships to other teams. As well as boosting our productivity, it also shows Ascent diverse workforce approach, which can only enhance our status as a great place to work.”
