software engineer Review

by NatWest

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5.3/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My job role is software engineer which means that my dailytasks are to learn more about programming in java and to try and assist the team with code changes

7/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt programming skills which I did not have. I am supposed to have finished my level 3 city and guilds apprenticeship but that was 6 months ago and although I have completed everything I have not received my certificate so do not know whether I ave passed or not and RBS and QA(Learning provider) don't respond to my emails

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

The team that I work in is small and not very sociable. The actual learning at college was poor and I learnt more from my own studying. I would not know much about the company culture as apprentices are left to their own devices as nobody really knows what to do with them. The only time apprentices are spoken to is to do some feedback like this one or to be a representative at an event.

4/10

4. How valued do you feel by NatWest?

I feel my manager appreciates the work that I do. External I have been recognised by the national early careers service as I have helped them, overall it is hard to become valued as my role is very technical and I am not at a standard to produce good work yet.

6/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Induction was a good two days but was too generalised as it was for all parts of the business so wasn't able to focus on different aspects and needs. The training has been awful, none internal and externally the QA team are poor. I have not had a mentor even though I have asked for one and I feel that this could have helped me. Nobody in RBS seems to have any idea of what is going on in terms of the apprenticeship as I do not have anything planned for me even though I finished my course 6 months ago.

2/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

Little if any, they are very slow at responding to emails, they are there just to teach for a few weeks at a time and are not there for anything else. It was not enjoyable for me

1/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

My line manager is supportive of me and helps me when I ask for it. The HR team are not very good and take a long time to respond. The worst of the lot would be the early careers team though and specifically the apprentice leader as she does not know whats going on and then doesn't get back to you with anything.

5/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

The salary I get for being an apprentice is good and I cannot complain, sometimes it is hard due to my high travel costs but travelling is something I have chosen to do. Having recently got a mortgage as well and now being a homeowner I find that the salary is still good.

9/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There are but only if you seek them out. YBA is a good one as they have many networking events. My team have never once gone out socially which I find strange.

7/10

9. Would you recommend NatWest to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The salary would be my main reason as it is good considering you can come in knowing nothing. Also because even though I am yet to see it I do believe that there are opportunities to move up within the business.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?

The only way to get anywhere or get anything done is if you hassle to people that should be doing it anyway. If you aren't annoying people then you wont get anything