Software Apprentice Review

I am currently a software apprentice at L-3 TRL, having started here roughly 5 months ago. I'm actively involved in the development of live projects that will be delivered to the customer and across the company, making me feel like a valued member of the team I work with. On a day-to-day basis I; Write, build and test code, Test hardware, Attend meetings and stand-ups (some of which are specifically for the development of apprentices, undergrads and grads), Spend an hour studying for my apprenticeship course. Provide feedback to team-members on project progress.

In terms of professional skills, I had already done a little coding in the past, though I am much more competent in it after only a few weeks. I was provided training in C# and am currently also learning Python. I'm also now more comfortable, confident even, in public speaking- as I have held several meetings myself.

I find the work that I do is fulfilling, and due to the nature of the company I feel that the work I do is actually making a difference in the world. My colleagues are a pleasure to work with, and they've always got the time to talk to me if I need help with something or pointing in the right direction.

As mentioned in a previous comment, due to my involvement on key aspects of live projects, I genuinely feel like I am a valued member of my team at L-3 TRL. If I perform well, people do notice, and they let me know. I appreciate the recognition that I earn.

Given that I am part of the first group of degree level apprentices at this company, I had expected that we would be ironing out the creases to pave the way for the future groups, but I don't feel like this is the case. There have been occasional hold-ups, though they were often minor and easily dealt with.

I think QA (my course providers) fell short of the mark with the first tutor that they provided, whose incompetence is still causing me grief two months after we finished his course. As a teacher he was poor, and now he is over a month late to delivering our assignment and exam results. On the bright side, the tutor that we have at the moment is perfect. The difference in quality of the modules is night and day. I hope that there's more tutors like him at QA.

My employer has been nothing but perfect. I receive daily support from several members of the team that I work with, giving me feedback on my progress and showing me the next steps that I need to take. They are more than willing to give me time to study whilst I'm in the office, especially when a deadline or an exam is coming up.

Again, the employer has been nothing but perfect. When I was looking at my options for other apprenticeships, more often than not they paid poorly (£11k at MOST), and didn't seem to provide any formal or worthwhile qualifications. I'm being paid £17,000 a year, as someone with very little previous software experience, and earning a degree at the same time, at no cost to myself. I've been provided with a private pension plan, where the company currently contributes 5% of my annual salary at no expense to myself. When I travel to London to take part in workshops for my course, the company pays for my accommodation, travel and also for my meals. In a month's time I'll be moving in to a house-share with several of the friends that I've made at this company, something that I have always wanted to do. Also, casual Fridays (which are also a half day). #WINNING

In terms of organising social events, L-3 TRL never fails to deliver. Recently the company helped pay for a group trip to a trampolining park for all the apprentices, grads and undergrads, another trip is being organised for us to go Go-Karting. We are actively encouraged to do these sorts of team-building exercises as it gives the workplace a much nicer atmosphere. I genuinely feel like people here are friends, not just colleagues. We are also actively encouraged to take part in charity fund-raising events, each year the employees raise money through a number of different events throughout the year, and the company then matches the amount raised. L-3 TRL recently donated £16k to the charity Winstons Wish.

Yes

Simply said, working at L-3 TRL has substantially improved my life. I literally couldn't ask for more from them.

Express an interest in the things that the company does, I definitely feel as though that's what gave me the edge over some of the other applicants. I have heard people say that they don't care too much about the technical knowledge or skills that people have when they come here, because they can be taught. THE most important thing is that they fit with the team. Be yourself. I was made to feel welcome right from the get-go, even before I had the job, when I came down for the interview I spoke to several members of staff, who all wished me luck!