IT Degree Apprentice - Junior Test Analyst Review

Currently im and working in a IT junior test analyst role which involves runnning testing on updates and fixes to current SSE systems. I interact with all 15 members of my team on a daily basis in order to create the best testing function possible. As part of our function we test on tablets and these assets are my responsibility, for example upgrading the devices.

I have learned many new skills since joining, the main being how to work effectively in a professional enviroment this has made my transition into the industry smoother as well as the proffesional side we also attend chichester university once a week where we learn many other skills such as essay writing and presentation skills which is also an area which we have had internal training on. My confidence has also greatly improved since starting the course through getting involved with meetin and interacting with people all over the business and across the world

I really enjoy my programme, I have a great team of people around me and have made good friends with other apprentices in the field, due to everyone at SSE being sao welcoming i started to ejoy the culture from the beginning. This course so far has met and exceeded my expectation and i look forward to carrying it on in the future

I personally feel very valued by SSE they have invested alot of time and money into me through this course and the university. I have also got recognittion from my team mangager saying that i was a valued and important part of the team which gives me lots of motivation to perform well on behalf of my team and the company.

The course is very well organised within SSE we have 2 course directors who work very hard to make our jobs as easy and enjoyable as possible, the structure is 8 rotations of 6 months that take each apprentice into all areas of the business in order to gain the widest range of skills to aid us when we have finished the course. Each apprentice has a personal mentor which we have had since our induction and i have had vey positive interaction with him he helped me settle in and is always around if i have any questions. We had a extensive 2 week induction when we started in which we took part in team building exercises, had saftey and HR policy briefings and had meetings with executive members of staff which showed that the business had a large interest in us.

There is good support from the university and we have got the contact of all of our lecturers by email or through module forums to get responses to any queries we have aswell as tutor to help adivise us on areas such as essays there is always as positive attitude towrads support and it is encouraged

I have support at work at all times. If I have a issues or query i have so many points of contact within SSE from my team manager my Personal mentor and the course directors. If a incident happens we have also got a very good relationship with a executive member of staff within our HR department who is also always around for support.

I still live at home so I dont have any living costs, my travel costs come to about £160 a month, daily cost are about £5 a day. Overall i save over half of my salary a month towards things like holidays and house savings as well as paying £130 a month into a sharesave scheme so it is very comfortable

SSE has a big programme called be the difference which is where eacch member of staff can take a full day to help with a charity project that doesnt come out of holiday, all of this years apprentices have booked in to go to an animal shelter in March, SSE is also hosting a young professionals in IT conference run by the BCS which we will all be involved in. We also have the chance to visit other business sites for example we have a trip to the meter reading training center in thatcham soon to see the physical side of the retail business. Within work clasess are also offered on site such as streching and yoga classes to a full gym with personal training on site. There is also a astro turf nearby where many staff paly sports like 5 aside football

Yes

It offers a oppourtinty that not any other places offer it gives you skills across all areas of big business IT, meeting helpful people allowing you to make a large network of staff for the future while paying for a degree and paying a very competative salary for an apprentice to help save towards what ever you like

Be yourself, they are looking for people that are willing and excited to learn and are not afraid to put them selves out there. The interviewers are friendly not there to catch you out, they just want to get to know you as a person and the assessment days will help you to understand the business better but before you come do your research! SSE want to know that you have invested some time into learning about the culture and company values. All in all use all of the steps as learning experiences and you will learn from every aspect of the process.