Software Development - Accessibility and Digital Inclusion Team Member Review

As part of the accessibility and digital inclusion team, my role involves auditing web applications against a set of world wide accepted standards called the Web Content and Accessibility Guidelines. It is my responsibility to carry out auditing against these standards and then report findings back to the client. There are various clients with different requirements from the accessibility team so it is varied day to day.

Over the course of the apprenticeship I have gained and developed skills in Java Programming, HTML, JavaScript, jQuery & MySQL, as well as professional skills such as communication and business skills. The apprenticeship course delivered through QA means at the end of the apprenticeship scheme I become an Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 8 Developer (There is a C# equivalent available if the apprenticeship is on the c# track).

The Accessibility and Digital inclusion team is relatively small, and everyone is friendly and willing to answer and questions or queries that I may have. Atos as a whole has a common-sense approach to company culture, that puts workers at the heart of the company. You can tell everyone is treated well by Atos.

Atos values apprentices greatly, as they realise many of us that are an apprentice be the future of the company. This means there are lots of opportunities to involve yourself in programs, courses or activities that will directly improve your professional/internal CV and allow you to work with people in many areas of the company and at varying levels. Managers regularly keep track of performance and check up on how you're handling life with the company and are willing to answer any questions or queries.

The apprenticeship starts with a week long residential induction which is very well structured and organised which introduces you to the world of work within Atos, it's company culture and practices, amongst other business related topics within Atos. After your induction you are likely sent on training for a block of time (3-6 weeks) with the apprenticeship provider that is tailored specific to the area of study your apprenticeship relates to. These are well structured and give you all the information and knowledge required that will be used within your day to day job at Atos.

QA provide a skills coach who is a go to for queries and questions related to the apprenticeship, and can also express causes for concerns directly to your line manager. Meetings are scheduled monthly with your skills coach to discuss progress and issues, as well as to set work if needed. They are extremely supportive and listen to you and always try to help. Admittedly, contact can be slow between you and your skills coach but the monthly meetings remedies this fairly well.

There is a lot of support avenues within Atos, especially for apprentices, such as the Emerging Talent team, who are a go-to after your line manager. The services give you all the information you need and support you in a professional but empathetic manner. Line managers and the Emerging Talent team are always happy to help with issues as well as easing you into Atos as a whole.

The pay is really good for an apprenticeship and covers all costs incurred by working for Atos, as well as general living costs.

There are a very large number of opportunities outside of your job role. For example I applied to join a committee of Graduates, Interns and Apprentices that volunteer time to inspire younger generations of children to study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics as well as raising awareness of Atos. There are lots of fundraisers and charity events that happen within Atos.

Yes

Atos is a large professional company that offers lots of avenues for internal and career progression, that are actually achievable and are not there to just keep you in your job. They treat apprentices extremely well and are very supportive when you join.

Make sure you are flexible when it comes to applying, assessment centres take place if you are successful in the beginning of the application process, and are on set dates.