Software Engineer Review

I'm a Software Engineer Higher Apprentice currently placed on a government contract. In my current role I have to work in a team of developers and testers on various different systems. My work involves both development and testing and it keeps me learning new technologies on an everyday basis. I have to attend scrum meetings every day and often take part in conference calls. I have to reach out to lots of people all over the organization for references and knowledge which has really improved my communication skills. I am responsible for helping to produce world class programs which will be used by thousands of people all over the UK on a daily basis. Each day I have to find tasks, figure out how to complete them, discuss with others and get the jobs done.

My apprenticeship track involves a paid-for degree which is a huge learning experience along side the work experience itself. I feel I've mainly improved my technical skills because of the business unit I'm working in however other units specialize in other areas such as client contact. There are plenty of additional training sessions available to me and I learn from others and my own research a huge amount in comparison to a standard university course. My communication skills have improved ten-fold due to constant communication with people I don't know around the clock and this has also reflected on my confidence outside of work!

This apprenticeship is great, I have a really nice team and always feel supported. The company hooks you up with plenty of contacts if you have any issues and it's an all-in-all nice place to be.

Contact from my line manager is limited (because of the huge amount of people he has to manage) however that's not to say that we don't speak. We have a monthly scheduled meeting where we can discuss any concerns or questions. You can not go un-noticed in this job, people will recognize your capabilities and place you into suitable roles depending on this. After 1 year you can get promotions and pay-rises dependent on your productivity which gives a nice incentive and proves your value to the company.

The programme is structured exceedingly well by the GAP team (A dedicated apprenticeship team). Training is catered for and accommodation was fully provided during the initial training period. After finishing training you will be placed on projects and you will always have a corporate contact to manage University and other aspects.

The support is mainly provided by other members of the project you are working on. If you ask, you will likely get a response. As I mentioned earlier, there is always someone you can talk to if you're not happy or have other issues.

The support is mainly provided by other members of the project you are working on. If you ask, you will likely get a response. As I mentioned earlier, there is always someone you can talk to if you're not happy or have other issues.

The starting salary and added FLEX benefits are amongst some of the top in the UK as well as including a paid-for degree along side. All expenses on transport and accommodation is covered by the company. This is one of the strongest aspects of the apprenticeship as a whole.

I've been working here under a year and have already taken part in charity events and a work Christmas party as well as multiple nights out with members of my team. There are always opportunities coming to my inbox to allow for a nice balance of work.

Yes

It's one of the best apprenticeships in the UK. That alongside a degree and relatively high salary add up to a perfect apprenticeship.

During the application SELL YOURSELF; mention everything you can do, have tried and show your willingness to learn. Depending on your business unit you will get different interviewers. Some may put you on the spot to see how you react under pressure. If you cant give an answer, don't try to blag it tell them the truth. The company is looking to hire people who are willing to tell them what they do know but not someone that couldn't give a client a straight answer if they weren't sure. During training work to your full capability, this is where you will get noticed and potentially chosen for better accounts. Make sure you have fun too!