Steven Rushworth – Getting to Know You

As part of Apprenticeship Week 2023, we meet one of our original group of Shipley College apprentices, Steve, who is now a fully-fledged, full-time member of the Support Desk team.

Where are you based?

I am based in the Guiseley office – upstairs in the Geek Squad room. 

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Bradford, but at a young age, I moved to Bingley, where I was brought up. I have an older sister who also works for RPC as well as an older brother. I am the youngest of the three, but that doesn’t stop me having my uses, such as being the family taxi as I am the only one out of my siblings that can drive.

How has your career path brought you to RPC?

Before RPC, I had a range of jobs from being a cleaner to working as a removal man. During Covid, I unfortunately lost my job as an admin clerk, however, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise for me. I have always been interested in tech/computers and at this point wanted to start a career in IT. An opportunity came about to do an IT apprenticeship for RPC through Shipley College. I applied and after a few interviews, I was informed I got the job! I have been with RPC for just under two years now; I’ve finished my apprenticeship and am fully employed as IT Support Technician.

What attracted you to RPC?

The apprentice opportunity to start my career in IT is what attracted me initially, but after the interviews, it was clear that RPC wasn’t like any other job I had had before. RPC is almost like one big family: everyone helps out wherever they can, and nobody is treated like they are lower than anybody else. That is what attracted me the most.

What are you working on right now?

Day-to-day, I’m kept busy with general duties within the RPC Support Desk, such as support calls and emails. But I have other projects going on in the background, such as our hosting environment upgrade as well as enhancing our website and migrating it to a self-hosting solution. These projects have also allowed me to improve my skills on a range of Operating systems, such as Linux OS and Windows Server, as well as giving me the hands-on chance to learn new coding languages, like PHP and HTML.

What do you like best about your job?

The people. I get on really well with my colleagues and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

What do you do in your spare time?

I like to bake in my spare time. I have been told I make a great chocolate cake and cheesecake.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a few things, most notably, a stuntman or a police officer.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Take each day as they come, one at a time – Peter Gable.

What’s on your desk?

Mostly notes and my Raspberry PI server.

How do you like your tea?

Not a tea drinker… Love my coffee though!

Dog or cat?

I am definitely a cat person. I currently have four cats… Tinkerbell, Lilly, Chaos & Bean.

If your house was on fire, what 3 things would you save?

My cats, my PC and my qualification certificates.

What would your superpower be?

If I were to choose one… I would probably have to choose the power of flight. The ability to go wherever you want, whenever you want.