Techincal Supports Degree Apprentice Review

My current role is technical support for the Information Management (Data) Department. My specific role is within the Structured Data Archive Team and includes providing technical advice and solutions to our offshore partners on a daily basis. I also monitor and manage requests from the business and offshore colleagues to provide them access to certain data that is stored. Further to this, I have created user guides for all colleagues to follow the correct procedure in requesting access to data. I review design documents and I am currently working on my own project surrounding the retention period of the data we hold.

I have set up weekly sessions with my mentor to discuss a different topic in areas I need to build my knowledge on. So far this includes, stakeholder management, data privacy, purge cycles, offshore communication and the infrastructure. Externally I have arranged a reporting tool course, I have attended SQL course and Teradata. I also use the LBG training resource skillsoft to learn new skills in Java, Excel and Microsoft Access. As I have not come from a technical background I have struggled to pick up coding and technical elements within my role, however have still enjoyed learning new skills.

I am really enjoying the degree course, LBG apprentices work together really well and without this support, I would not be able to achieve what I have. I did expect the degree course to align more with my day job and coming into the role it was overwhelming to find out the two are very separate.

I think the department as a whole is good in recognising colleagues who have done well, however I can feel overwhelmed with some work I am giving whereby I have no experience and have been asked to produce work by a deadline. This can leave me feeling I am given work that others do not want to do and as I am classed as a 'free resource' to the business area, it makes sense to them to give this to me, however I then spend time setting up calls with more experience colleagues who will show me how to do this. As a result, more staff resource is used by this.

The course itself is well organised by MMU, however there was no induction or training prior or upon arrival to the business area I was placed in. The organisation of my placement was not well managed and it was only until 1 week before I was due to start the job I knew where I was going to be based. I asked to go into a Cyber Security role as my placement, however they were not able to find me a position within Cyber as they had given this to someone else. This didn't give me confidence in how the scheme is run. However my current business area do provide me support with my studies as they allow me a couple of hours a week to catch up with university work within my current role. This can take a back seat on weeks I have work deadlines, but it is definitely great to know I have that extra time to catch up or work on assignments for university.

All of the tutors at MMU are very supportive, they respond to emails and any questions I have very quickly. They explain things very well which gives me confidence in being able to complete the work.

My business area provides me support with my studies and current role, Although my line manager is based in another site, I still have monthly 121's where I can discuss any concerns I have with my role or uni work. They will point me in the right direction with who to speak with if another colleague has skills I could learn from. I have been provided a mentor within my team who is also seen as my task manager. This is very different to other apprentice's on my course and whilst my mentor does help with building our knowledge in the area it can feel we have two managers to consult at all times when this isn't the case for others.

As I have previously worked for lbg on the same salary grade I am able to meet my personal costs. As I live over 45miles from the university, I do spend over £100.00 in just university travel which can be difficult to manage at times.

On my second day joining my new team we went to the training centre for an away day. I have also been to a couple more after this for the emerging talent team which was useful as I got to know more members within the wider team.

Yes

I would recommend my scheme as it is a great opportunity and provides all people regardless of age to develop skills and qualifications to build a career.

Preparation for the interviews and assessment days are vital. I would encourage anyone (even without an IT background) who is interested in the degree and scheme to apply. I would have liked the feedback to be personal to me as it did seem quite generic.