Digital Technology Apprentice Review

Every 6 months you move to a different area so it has changed over time, but generally ill be working on data solutions using mixtures of python, SQL and power platforms or coding for software development. Day to day i spend my time advancing said projects, normally working on more than 1, and attending meetings with stakeholders. Ive worked in cyber security, sustainability, data for our renewable solutions business, governance/finance and enterprise architecture. Though its quite common to get involved with random projects outside of the area your working in which is nice, for example i helped make some proof of concepts for digital simulation/ management of powerplants in unreal engine.

Yes absolutely, due to the 6 month placement structure you get to essentially decide what skills your interested in developing, as well as just experience different areas of the business. Personally the majority of my projects have been about data, so most of my upskilling as been in power bi, power automate, python and snowflake/SQL. I have also done a decent amount around non technical skills such as presenting and talking to stakeholders. With some projects focused on front end design as well. University also touches on a variety of different coding languages.

I enjoy it , you have a variety of work to do and the people are very easy to work with, relaxed culture. While some projects can be a bit boring, some are equally quite interesting, i think thats the case at most companies.

Well structures, as mentioned you move areas every 6 months meaning your constantly upskilling in different area, you have 1 day a week to work on university coursework. Management are useful and helpful.

The employer is pretty good from a support point of view, you have a dedicated early careers team that looks after apprentices and when you joined youll be assigned both a mentor and an older apprentice to help you along. Furthermore within digital technology management is really supportive of you being a degree apprentice and any needs you might have around that.

Its variable, every module is ran by a module lead, and typically the level of support is fully reliant on the capabilities of said module leaders, some are really good, and some are bad. Outside of the modules themselves the university is pretty good, they have regular meetings with you and are generally helpful. Honestly i dont think its much worse/better at any other university.

Each module tends to teach you a new coding language, with some coding languages featuring twice. I find the coding modules very useful, when taught by people who actually work in those languages, as you can often take what you have learnt and use it directly in the workplace. For example what i learnt about developing web apps using php/javascript/html i have used on projects. You also do some written modules, that help with soft skills and general knowledge around management techniques, but honestly actually doing the job at work will teach you far more than university ever can so its pretty useless

Apprentices often have social events and the such, and some have organised doing football regularly, people in general are normally down to do things, but there isnt anything official really.

Yes

Culture is good, prospects post apprenticeship are good, management are friendly, its pretty good for developing your skills and i much prefer the 6 month placement models to other companies who you join and stay in the same place. Get good satisfaction from the work i complete.

Generic advice of being friendly and open at interviews is always true, try to be as relaxed as you can while remaining profesional. Have a think about how the experiences in your life have shaped you and the lessons you have learnt from them, this means even if you havent done extra curriculum you can still answer interview questions. Practice interview questions using STAR technique (look it up). Research the company so you know what they do, but dont use Chat GPT to do this without fact checking it. Being friendly and prepared will go a long way. If you have the time/ resources just do some coding projects, make some stuff, learn a new coding language so you have stuff to talk about.