Higher Apprentice Software Developer Review

apprentice software developer - Daily tasks include: Taking part in daily scrum meetings. Developing functionality for a client Testing and maintaining the functionality

I have developed my IT hardware, and software skills exponentially. I am now beginning to focus on specialized areas of software - i.e. architecture, UX, data modelling etc.. I have learnt about how packets are sent and what security certificates actually do.ch

I greatly enjoy it because I am meeting more and more people who are interested in similar things to myself which is both rewarding and challenging. I feel like I have exceeded my personal expectations of where I would be at this stage in my apprenticeship.

Not particularly valued, but the service line I operate under has recently had a shortage of any type of work, so the chance for me to get involved has been absent for the past few months. My manager values myself and my skills independently which is good because it allows me to be considered for many roles based solely on how I work, not necessarily how much I know.

Terrible. Apprenticeship training and assignments have been 'lost'. Over 18 months I have had 8 assessors. All of which request the same things when meeting us initially - wasting more time that we don't have. No time dedicated for completing mandatory apprenticeship work, making it impossible to meet my expected finish date which is infuriating and de-motivating.

Not a lot. When our work has been assessed, we will receive a list of improvements, but not detailing why those exact improvements were suggested - only that the point has not been met. I enjoy independent research, however, on some topics I struggle with, an explanation would be very appreciated so I can identify a cause and reason, and go forward to build my own exemplification of the improvement.

Support from dedicated apprenticeship teams are enough, and the other apprentices agree - we all manage each other. Managerial support is outstanding, especially considering the aforementioned shortage of work. Any issues I have are corrected straight away and I generally feel very supported, as I have done since the start.

More than meets my costs - however, for the work I am doing lately with the shortage forcing us into new areas, I feel like the stress for reward isn't quite balanced for an apprentice.

None. Unless I actively go out and find an opportunity. I can appreciate with things relating to software development it can be troublesome to create an opportunity outside of work - because everything is done inside work.

Yes

Great prospects (Well, before the work drought.) and a guaranteed career. Also, considering how little I knew when I started, I would promote an apprenticeship to anyone who wants actual business-area experience.

Be yourself. Be calm, be friendly and be motivated. Find as much experience as you can before going to assessment days and interviews and talk about what you learned and what you would like to learn in the future.