Apprentice Software Developer Review

Apprentice Software Engineer(Developer) The role involves working on tasks with the team to produce and improve Sky's website or apps. Daily Tasks include: Stand ups, and completing cards. Projects: In the beginning included educational projects provided by Sky, which allows for apprentices to build their knowledge and confidence before joining a team.

At Sky I have continued to develop and learn new Skills in a wide variety of areas. I have significantly improved my coding skills, and know a variety of different languages. New coding languages are learnt when entering the educational projects and then teams. This is when you learn and further develop the coding skills.

Sky provide an excellent working and learning environment. Everyday you are given the opportunity to learn something new in regards to developing yourself such as your confidence or new skills in technology. The teams are widely accepting, and the work provided is always enough to keep your busy. The environment allows you to work at your own pace and to gain your skills steadily.

At Sky, I feel that you get recognition for the tasks in which you complete. Even while gaining knowledge of the code base, pair programming is a great way to improve that knowledge but also makes you feel valued by your colleagues, as it gives you chance to get used to the code before taking on tasks.

Sky produce a structured program, which starts with a bootcamp. The bootcamp could be improved with more valued presentations and talks. The bootcamp was not very structured, however it gave you chance to talk to other apprentices. The educational projects were slightly more organised. However having a more challenging project would be better. Next came teams. Going into teams is the best part of the apprenticeship. You get first hand knowledge and allows you to fully grow and gain more insight into how everything works. You can also begin to pick up tasks and contribute to the team. Overall so far, my experience with Sky has been good, with a few hiccups along the way.

As our training provider is based in a different location, this can sometimes make communication rather difficult. However they try to support us the best we can. We are provided with several applications we cam use to communicate. We are also provided with meetings with our advisor. These are 1 to 1 through online meetings, but are also group meetings when the advisor will come down.

Everyone at Sky is really supportive. They help with any information and make you feel welcome. As we are provided with a buddy from the beginning, it allows for us to have any questions answered. The Scrum Masters and and other developers are always willing to clarify any information or provide you with help.

The Salary provided is very good for an apprenticeship. It allows me to cover my living costs and travel costs.

There are a variety of opportunities offered for outside and inside of work. These include special movie viewings, and special guest visits. But also include invites for outdoor activities a recent one is gliding (providing your book the day as a holiday).

Yes

Its a good experience to have and gain. It has a flexibility that not all jobs have, and being able to learn in a brilliant environment is a bonus as well as the people you are surrounded with.

To remember that it is a learning experience as well as a job. During the interview remain calm (not to calm that your to casual), but calm enough that you come across confident. And to remember that everyone who attends an assessment day has a different level of coding knowledge, and not to be worried if you don't know something, there will be people in the room who you can ask and inquire to.