Degree Apprentice/ Software Engineer Lead Review

I am an Oracle Applications Database Administrator working in the Applications Development sector of Capgemini. An average week is working from home on a Monday then travelling down to client site where I am part of a project team Tuesday to Friday. I have a technical role in the team so this involves installing, configuring and integrating Oracle software.

When I joined Capgemini I had no programming or computing experience but had good IT functional skills from doing IT Applied A-Level. I have gained a Level 4 diploma in IT technical and professional competence, I am currently in the final year of my sponsored degree with Aston University. I have had lots of opportunity to take training in my role where I have either taken Oracle University courses from home or travelled to Oracle/ QA training centres. We are also encouraged to take Oracle certified qualifications and the expenses for this are covered. I have learnt good soft skills with having to manage myself on a number of responsibilities at one time with study and work commitments. I have found we are able to learn at our own speed and junior contributions are valued.

There is a good working environment at Capgemini and the teams are very friendly. A lot of social opportunities as well. Capgemini mission statement "people matter, results count" is very apparent in the organisation.

Juniors are treated fairly at Capgemini. You can work alongside much more senior and experienced team members and they support you in your career development. You have a review manager who can offer you support. Your input as a junior is very valued.

There is a Graduate Apprentice Placement team at Capgemini as well as SPOCs in each division of the company. Everything is well managed from the great work of the GAP programme to recruit, work with the university to deliver a great degree to the day to day work and support from colleagues.

Capgemini diploma with QA which used to provide the credit for the first year of your degree has been recently replaced with the degree with Aston from first year. There's a lot of information on the degree programme and we have been assigned to a specific course area and have points of contact at the uni. The work is done mainly remotely which gives an element of flexibility. A schedule for each module is released which helps to track progress on modules. There are tutorials and various other learning material available then evening lectures are delivered according to the schedules usually either weekly or bi-weekly. Every three months we go to the uni for lectures/ assessments.

There are various people to speak to at Capgemini with the GAP team, SPOCs in the business units, a review manager and often juniors are assigned mentors at the beginning to help them settle into their day to day roles. Everyone is very supportive and understands that you are gaining experience and in need of extra support.

Capgemini has an expenses policy when working away as I am doing this is a very fair policy that ensures you are not out of pocket due to work travel. Apprentices are reviewed four times a year and there are good opportunity for fast promotion on the programme which shows how valued the apprentices are in the business. I think the salary is manageable for young people in all circumstances and some of my colleagues have rented from joining the programme on the starting salary.

The degree is a great opportunity and uses a lot of your time although Capgemini give a generous study allowance as well. The work is generally done out of hours on weekends and evenings. There are a lot of good opportunities to get involved in the GAP programme by doing school visits and other initiatives which can be rewarding and good for your professional growth. Each business unit also has specific social opportunities, this included a junior talent Christmas party as well as the office party in my business unit and coming up is a weekend away to Prague for the juniors.

Yes

Capgemini programme offers a good opportunity for personal and professional development. The work is challenging and there is opportunity to be involved in your own career path.

Capgemini are very realistic during the recruitment process it is good to be honest about where you are at, for example if you don't have much relevant experience explain ways you have been proactive or why you are interested in business/ IT, what you hope to gain through your apprenticeship and why you think you will be a good addition to the company. The recruitment process for me in 2013 involved an application form, telephone interview where some general questions were asked and a basic multiple choice to gage how IT savvy the candidate was. Next there was an assessment day which involved working on a team activity and a one to one interview with a member of the GAP team. I had a further interview with a manager in the business area I was moving into, my understanding of the business area was quite minimal at this point so it was more of a conversation about the roles and how I might fit in.