Rahim thanks Coleg Llandrillo for launching Cyber Security Career
The 21-year-old is in the final year of his degree apprenticeship while working in a rewarding role for the NHS
Rahim Arif is on track for a Cyber Security degree thanks to Coleg Llandrillo - and has already started a rewarding career in the sector.
The 21-year-old is in the final year of his Applied Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship through Busnes@LlandrilloMenai, working on the cyber security team of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB).
He first applied to Coleg Llandrillo as a 16-year-old, having never studied IT. Five years later, Rahim has progressed through the levels and is on a fully funded degree course - meaning he doesn’t have to pay tuition fees.
Instead, Rahim earns while he learns in a job he loves, working four days a week for BCUHB and studying one day per week. For the first two years of his course his lectures were at the college’s Rhos-on-Sea campus, while he attends Bangor University for his final-year classes.
This year, Rahim will graduate with a BSc (Hons) awarded by Bangor University - something he didn’t envisage when he first came to college.
“Originally I wanted to do a Level 3 Art and Design course, but I had to resit my maths GCSE so wasn’t able to pursue it,” he said.
“So I was going through the college website to see if there were any other courses that might interest me, and that’s when I saw the Level 2 IT practitioner course.
“I’d always been interested in designing websites, and they had a security unit which I thought was interesting, so I applied.
“I’d never studied IT before or anything computer-related, but I had really good support from the tutors, who helped me a lot. They let me settle down so I could understand the fundamentals, and I developed my knowledge from there.”
Rahim progressed to a Level 3 BTEC in his second year, adding: “It was really useful to have the blended learning of assignments, exams and presentations and the practical aspect as well, with units covering different aspects like cyber security, networking and programming.”
After completing his qualification, Rahim opted to stay at college and apply for the degree apprenticeship, rather than going away to university.
“I was offered a confirmed place on a cyber security degree at Manchester Metropolitan University, but I pursued the apprenticeship programme at Coleg Llandrillo as I was happy with the quality of teaching and resources,” he explained.
“I also felt that the role I wanted to apply for, working with the NHS, would be rewarding, so I thought that was the best option for me.”
Rahim said of the degree apprenticeship: “I think it’s brilliant. Similarly to the BTEC, the degree apprenticeship programme is made up of different units which combine both the practical and theoretical approaches.
“You’re not only learning from your lecturers - because you’re working four days a week you’re also learning from different staff members and how they approach certain tasks and projects.
“You have to find a balance between work and the academic side. But because of that you gain new skills and knowledge, and learn a lot about yourself - time management, organisation and other key skills.
“It has been challenging trying to adapt to both studying and working, but the support I’ve received in the workplace and in college has been brilliant.”
Rahim highlighted units on research and study skills, and employability-based learning as being particularly useful. He has also utilised support with his dyslexia from the research and study skills centre at college.
He said: “I’d like to thank all the lecturers who have helped me in college, in English, maths and computing - Andrew Scott, Emily Byrnes, Steve Jenkins, Stephen Sharp, James Lehart, Mark Roberts, Arfon Edwards, Inge Powell and Karen Thomas. Thank you also to the NHS cyber security team for their guidance and support throughout my apprenticeship.”
His advice for anyone thinking of attending college is to make the most of all the support it offers.
“Work hard, immerse yourself and learn as much as you can,” Rahim said. “If you have a learning difficulty, embrace it and figure out how you learn best.
“Utilise all the resources - get advice from your tutors, ask for support if you’re struggling, and utilise any programmes that the college has, because it can directly link into developing your skills and knowledge.”
It’s not too late to apply for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai’s fully funded Degree Apprenticeships in Applied Cyber Security or Applied Software Engineering for the 2025/26 academic year. If you’re employed in an IT-related role of any kind, please get in touch on apprenticeships@gllm.ac.uk. Learn more about degree apprenticeships here.