Test Analyst Review

I am currently working as a Test Analyst within the secure project. As I was part of a Test Assurance team where I was required to triage defects found in automation test failures. I then moved to the Test Execution team, where I’ve been able to learn about several new areas of functionality, including preparing test scripts and data as well as executing tests, including meeting targets within execution periods. I have also been able to perform test execution in front of a client.

I am enrolled on the Software Developer Apprenticeship scheme where I am completing a qualification that is equivalent to the first year of a degree. From this programme, I have managed to gain many new technical skill, such as Java, SQL, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JSP as well as business skills, such as theoretical aspects of systems development including knowledge of different methodologies and project management techniques. As I am still currently partaking in this programme, my programming skills are to a basic proficiency.

It's hard work and the fact I'm doing a Software Development Apprenticeship and I'm doing a Tester role doesn't help me develop my skills towards my apprenticeship. But I'm managing to cope. Work - I have a very demanding job and I am busy at all hours. Team - my team is mainly made up of sub-contractors so getting used to working with them to begin with was challenging but then I got comfortable after a little while. Culture - it really fluctuates depending on the time in the release cycle - sometimes can be good and sometimes can be more stressful. My expectations were I guess higher than what I expected as it was a lot of learn this by yourself in the workplace.

The level of recognition is reviewed on a yearly basis via a member satisfaction survey as well as a one-on-one with our managers, in which we need to perform reviewable activities such as giving examples of how we incorporate the CGI values into our everyday job. From this, a judgement is given on the performance on a scale getting a minimum of meets expectations means that there’s a possible pay rise available. Other than this on a more regular basis, recognition hasn’t been that much which is something that should improve, especially for apprentices that are completing high level work equivalent to senior members/sub-contractors.

My programme wasn’t very well explained to begin with but overall, the training modules I had in my first year were provided to me early on in the start of the programme, meaning I was able to tell my managers/team leads that I will be away for training on such and so dates for X training block. Other than that, it hasn’t been very well structured and I did give advice to my training provider to have some kind of documentation for the new apprentices to get a gist out of what the course entails rather than needing to remember all the information provided through the one-on-one sessions.

It has improved recently, as slightly higher management have been dealing with my concerns as my assessor left the company of the training provider. My new assessor has mentioned to reach out to tutors and such and has also organised a day for me to go back to a tutor and get help with what I’m struggling with.

With regards to support from my employer, this has been on a basis of understanding my commitments to the training I’m required to have, by allowing me to attend such training courses. However, with the work that I’m required to complete after my training block is done is a lot of work and it would help to incorporate some sort of plan where I would be allowed sometime within the workplace to complete some of my apprenticeship assignment work.

When I joined, I felt like my salary wasn’t as competitive as other companies but since being here for over a year, it has improved quite a lot which I’m happy about yet then again, it still remains in the lower category of salaries given to apprentices with my skills. As I live home with my parents, my costs are very minimal at this point but if I were to move out and rent, I would struggle with my current salary. My travel costs are the biggest toll on my salary, where I’m doing about >20 miles a day commute.

CGI do offer a sports and social club where any members who want to join need to input £5 into the “jar” each month for such activities to happen, and then they would be allowed to get discounted activities. This isn’t something I have opted into yet as I haven’t found many good activities in my local area. It would help if CGI could incorporate more events in the London area.

Yes

Their compensation benefits are pretty good and the fact that they are all available to apprentices as well is a good incentive.

Make sure you research the company well and have a niche area that you want to get into. Pick one of the business units that CGI has and explain why you wold be passionate about working in, for example, Space and Defense.