IT Apprentice Review

I am a tech (formerly IT) apprentice. On a day to day basis I provide IT support to the production lines on site, often interfacing between central teams which can be based anywhere in the world, or be from external companies and the end users of a service or system. More recently I have started work on a large project to gain experience in that area of work.

I have received formal training in the ITIL foundation course and an ongoing foundation degree, as well as numerous internal formal trainings and on-the-job trainings ranging from DI (Data Integrity), local procedures, corporate security (physical and IT), incident and problem management, project processes, IT infrastructure and architecture and stakeholder management.

I enjoy the majority of the work I do, it being varied and challenging. The team I work with are friendly and supportive, of me, my professional development and my external work for the apprenticeship. The company culture is generally that of supporting individuals to achieve more, with everyone helping anyone else.

My line manager and team manager make me feel like my work is valuable and that I am valued, both my giving up their time to teach and by ensuring my work is meaningful in some way. I have received two internal recognition awards for specific pieces of work, as well as an internal eCard of thanks for supporting another teams project.

Inductions to the job role and apprenticeship were both useful in the 'on-boarding' process. The external training is well structured, but the support is highly variable depending on the tutor assigned to each apprentice. Internally there are regular meeting with my line manager and the apprentice custodian, to ensure all is going well. Task delegation is clear within my team, as is the hierarchy. Overall, there is some chaos around exactly how different parts of the apprenticeship work, but the essentials are in place.

There are two training providers, and in both cases support is highly variable depending on the tutor assigned. My tutor from the first provider is excellent, being very experienced, knowledgeable and focused on helping. The second provider works on a module by module basis and the quality of tutor has varied to both ends of the scale.

All that could be asked for; an agreed amount of time each week to work on apprenticeship work, help managing the company work load at peak times (where company and apprenticeship deadlines collide), as well as regular reviews as to how everything is going. My company has a very strong drive to develop employees and this is most obvious with the apprentices.

The salary starts entirely adequate to cover basic living costs and raises from there. If bonuses and extras are included it becomes a generous package, that increases year on year during the apprenticeship. My living costs are low, and it is enough to run a car and to save up for the future.

The company regularly hosts a range of events, from community outreach, lunchtime networking opportunities, socials (from individual teams, through to whole sites for special events) and a encouragement to volunteer each year. There are sporting venues on site with their respective clubs, as well as a social club and several good walking routes.

Yes

Excellent level of training and opportunities for development. It is both a professionally rewarding company to work for, as well as financially rewarding.

During the application process, follow the guidelines given. Say what you have achieved and what your learnt from it (rather than just stating your excellence). During the whole process, be honest but make your strengths clear. Once enrolled, get involved in anything that catches your interest (if you find interesting work, you are more likely to find your niche) and find out what the people around you do and learn from them.