Technical Apprentice Review

I work in the Middleware team at Fidelity. It involves a wide range of different technologies incuding: MQ and Broker, SQL and File Transfer. My role requires me to work with people across the globe on a day to day basis and help design the best possible solutions for the requirements of their peojects.

During my time on the apprenticeship i have worked in two major areas, prior to my current role in Middleware, i worked in DTS where i first developed my new skills (mainly in problem managment and solution). My work in DTS was mixed with external and internal training with QA where i completed multiple Microsoft qualifications as well as other courses such as ITIL. In my second year i moved into the Middleware team to gain further experience with new technologies and gain related qualifications.

I havehad a very enjoable experience so far on the appenticeship. The teams that i have worked in have been very supportive and have made every effort to create a friendly environment for me. The culture within the company is one that i find inviting, everyone is friendly and most people are aware of the apprentices and take a keen interest to get to know us and help us along the way.

I feel that i am very valued at Fidelity and within my team. My manager sets up regular meetingfs with me to dicuss how i am progressing and listen to any concerns or interests that i have. These discussions also include appreciation for whart i am doing well and constuctive critisim for areas that i could improve upon.

The scheme is very well stuctured in my opinion. We recieved an introducion upon joining to give us the chance to meet some of the people that head up different areas that we might be involved in and exaplin how the scheme was going to work in detail. We had regular training that had all been planned out prior to our arrival, this covered our key training for the first year of the scheme. We have also been assigned mentors that we meet with, these mentors are in different areas of the business so that we can get some insight into the daily business runnings that we do not directly interact with. We also had a chance to meet with our new teams prior to joining so that we could break the ice and get to know that people that we would be working with.

Our training provider assigned us with a mentor that we can contact at any time. I still have contact with me after completeing the training program that was assigned in the first year. My mentor has been very supportive throughout and has handled any concerns that i have had.

There has been endless support from Fidelity. There is always someone that is able to help with any concerns or interest that I have. We have members of the HR team that support the apprenticeship scheme that are always able and very happy to help. I also have my manger and my mentor for support when i need it. Everyone who directly support the apprenticeship scheme are always happy to hear from us and will make every effort to make time to talk to us.

The salary with Fidelty has been very supportive of living and travel costs and has continued to increase as experience grows and time passes.

There are always social events being organised within the company. Some of these include charity events that are setup by our corprate citizenship team and some are team events or events setup by the apprentices.

Yes

The scheme has been both fun and challenging, i have had no end of support throughout. I have been given the oppotunity to train and gain qualifications and the environment is one of the most friendly that i have ever been in.

Be entusiastic and equisitive, don't be afraid to ask questions or approach new people and introduce yourself. Take up as many opportunities as you can to gain new experiences. Above all make yourself stand out from the crowd.