IT Degree Apprentice Review

As SSE is a large company, its IT department is made up of many different teams doing different jobs. Because of this, the degree apprentices rotate teams every 6 months to get a view of as many teams as possible throughout the scheme. Currently I work for an applicaiton support team which involves implementing changes to the application. I also keep track of the risks for the team and report them to managers each month.

Right at the start of the scheme, I was offered the opportunity to do a communication and presentation skills course. Although it only lasted a day, it was highly benficial and following it, I am now confident enough to present to peers as well as management. There have also been opportunities to do several courses at work such as advanced driving and microsoft application training. As part of the university course, there are modules on coding. Although I could code before, I have now learnt a new language and am learning more as each week comes.

I enjoy the scheme very much. The environment at work is so friendly and everyone is happy to help out whenever they can. I have found that my team at work will even help me understand things I'm taught at university. There are 10 other degree apprentices and we have all become great friends too. I didn't really know what to expect when I joined because it was my first ever job, but because of the welcoming environment and interesting people, I enjoy coming to work/university a lot more than I ever enjoyed college.

My manager is always thanking me for the work I do, I feel she appreciates the effort I put in. In our induction weeks we got to meet the CEO of the company and had meetings with a lot of senior managers, all of which said how happy they were to have young talent entering the company. This was quite scary but definitely made us feel valued. Some teams get their apprentice involved in lots of interesting projects and give them important, showing they trust us. However, there are one or two teams that don't put as much effort as they should in when supporting an apprentice. This shouldn't be a problem in future though as some of these teams are gradually being taken out of the rotations.

when I first joined the company, I had a two week induction and in that I was taught about what the company does and who's who within it. I then had a week induction at uni when the degree side of the apprenticeship was explained. After that I joined my team and was given plenty of help with tasks I was set. Although I can do most of these without any help now, I know my manager would be happy to help if I needed it. The degree apprentices have monthly meetings with the scheme manager where we have a general catch up and discuss any concerns we have about work or uni. He is also available to us if we need to contact him in between these meetings. There is a mentor system in place at work, with us keeping the same mentor over the 4 years (unless we request to get a different one). They keep anything that isn't a serious concern confidential and are a great help if I need help with anything I don't feel comfortable speaking to other people about. My mentor was able to get me contacts in information security and because of that I will be working with them when my current rotation ends. There is also a mentor system in place at uni but I don't really speak to my university mentor too much because my work one is easier to talk to. I also really enjoy the 6 month rotation set up of the scheme. It gives us long enough to get to understand properly the roles of each team, but its short enough that we don't get bored, and that we get to see lots of teams during the scheme.

At university I have a mentor who is proactive in asking if there is anything I want to see her about. The lecturers are also available after lectures to speak to us individually if needed, or anytime via email. There is support available to students with different needs, such as needing slideshows printed out, laptops to type notes rather than writing them down and extra time in exams etc. A programme board has been set up with a few student representatives. This means that we can tell the represntatives any issues we have with university and they can convey these concerns/issues to the lecturers and course directors anonymously. These can then be taken into consideration and acted upon.

I was surprised how much support was available when I joined SSE. My current manager, my next rotation manager, the scheme manager and my mentor are all always more than happy to sit with me and discuss any issues I might be having. These discussions don't have to be limited to work either, they give me advice on issues at university and in my personal life. All I have to do is contact them via text, call or email and then get a meeting booked if i want to see them face to face. There are many policies at work about treating mental health as as much of a health concern as physical health. Because of this, if your workload is making you stressed, you can tell someone quietly and they will do what they can to help rather than telling you to get on with it. HR also have a list of mental health professinals they can give to you if you feel you need it.

I'm in my first year of the degree apprenticeship and I already earn a competitive wage. I easily make double the cost of my monthly rent + bills and on the south coast, rent is quite high. The pay is set to go up each year, providing I do a good job. All university costs are covered by the company so at the end of the scheme I will be earning a competive wage and have a debt free degree.

Theres a running club twice a week at work, as well as a gym there available to all employees. As part of a work scheme, everyone is encouraged to take part in a volunteer day at least once a year, theres a website for people to advertise opportunities you can sign up for. These volunteer days are always a laugh, I spent mine at the RSPCA with my friends, helping to clear pathways and then playing with cats and puppies. In the local area there is a leisure centre I go to at least twice a week. There are also great transport links (bus and train) to Portsmouth, Port Solent, Chichester etc where there are cinemas, bowling, beaches and loads of other things to do and see.

Yes

I would recommend degree apprenticeships in general because at the end of the scheme, you will have a degree and work experience. And, as a lot of people now are going to university and getting a degree, the work experience makes you stand out to future employers. I would recommend the degree apprenticeship at SSE to anyone with an interest in IT or Business. This is because there are some technical roles and some business/project management roles so something for anyone with those interests to enjoy. Its a large company so there will be plenty of opportunities to get promotions in the future, its a relaxed, happy environment and there are a few degree apprentices taken on each year so there will be people your age in the same position as you that you can become friends with.

I would advise people applying to mention things that make you stand out. Grades don't mean everything in the recruitment process, so although they are reasonably important, they are also interested in what else you do. You should mention, if you can, any clubs you do, if theres a particular achievement you're proud of (e.g. a high grade on a musical instrument) or any work experience you may have had before. SSE are all about safety, so mentioning any risk assessing you may have done for activities or any first aid training/experience you've had will probably put you in a good position. I would also say that it isn't as scary as it seems. I was unbelievably scared of doing a phone interview but within the first minute, the interviewer put me at ease and i actually enjoyed it.