Software Engineer Review

I am a software engineer and my role has been very varied so far, including doing development work, testing work, automated testing development and bits of helping with project management. My day is self organised and I am responsible for picking up the next most important task for the project I'm assigned to.

I have learnt how to code and therefore I have been able to do that in my spare time and teach myself how to build websites and mobile apps even though that wasn't our initial apprenticeship training. The skills you learn here are very transferable and can set you up to go far in the software engineering world. I will be gaining some Microsoft qualifications (MTAs) and a Java Associates certification. My understanding and practice of agile methodologies has increased too, there's no better way to learn then actually working in an agile way and Capgemini give you the opportunity to dive in.

I enjoy the problems everyday presents and the freedom I have to come up with solutions to the problems and present them to my managers. Working with other apprentices is great and I have found that projects don't look down on apprentices but value their input. This has made my time a lot more enjoyable, being valued and being able to input into the final product.

I have received recognition for recent work I have done and my experience of Capgemini is they recognise when people put in extra effort and make sure those efforts are rewarded. Suggestions and feedback about the apprentice programme are also welcomed which helps to make you feel involved with the running and development of the program.

The structure is constantly developing and the managers are committed to improving the programme every year. I found the first 13 weeks "accelerated learning" was helpful but by the end I was raring to get out of the classroom. The initial training wasn't too hard but it does require you to read around the subject if you want to do well. Training is occasional (once every 3 months) and has been mostly on quite interesting topics. Interaction with training provider are once ever one or two months which just means you need to be self-motivated and organising to get the work done because they won't be there to regularly check up on you.

I have meetings with my assessor every one or two months and he is very helpful and lets me know exactly what I need to do and helped me tailor the works to what I can do best. They do their best to make sure the modules are relevant but as with any training, some of it is useless and redundant because it's ticking boxes for the sake of it. I've enjoyed only one or two of my modules because they weren't just writing for the sake of it but had a creative and productive objective (create an object oriented program).

There is a large support team in place to make sure you know the information you need to know and so that you progress in your Capgemini career. The support provided is the same as the rest of the company and the apprentice programme seems well integrated because of things like this.

My Salary is generally good compared to most other apprenticeships and offer a good progression model but because I rent my own place, they don't cover all my costs (rent, bills, council tax, car, travel, food). So generally you wouldn't be able to live on this salary if you lived alone, but if you live with others it's ample. Capgemini reimburse travel expenses when you travel away from your base location so there's no need to worry about being placed far away but the cost of your journey to your base location will always be deductible from that so don't choose a base location that's far away.

Yes, there has been a Christmas social so far and other socials planned, including charity work and events which any employee can get involved.

Yes

They value their higher apprentices and this is shown in the work you will get to do on project and the training they provide. They aim to train you well and give you a career rather than a job for the time of the programme. The experience they provide is invaluable and they seek to make sure you get it. They give responsibility to apprentices and most of the chance to learn is hands-on when doing real client work which makes it so much more exciting than being slowly introduced and trusted and given a day at college a week.

Make sure you enjoy solving problems and want to actively input. You don't need to have done loads of programming to be successful but you need to be passionate about IT and meeting people's needs through IT. Choose a base location (one of the Capgemini offices) closest to you. Take the opportunity to learn from the experienced people around you in the company. Capgemini has some of the best employees in the industry and taking on their knowledge could be invaluable for you.