Apprentice Technical SME Review

I am an apprentice technical SME on the "Filters" Team. My team owns and supports the applications that provide sanctions checking of payments and customers that do business with Lloyds Banking Group. My team is involved in many projects relating to any payment system or transaction compliance changes.

So far, I have learned good skills in: UNIX OS, Shell scripting, Java, SQL and mainframe. I have been on courses such as ITIL and software development fundamentals. I am planning on completing the Oracle Java Associate Programmer exam this year sometime. I have also learned many professional skills such as good communication and time management.

I really enjoy my programme, especially my actual day-to-day job role. I feel that I contribute an important amount to my team and we get along very well. They have really supported me in joining and getting up to speed, and providing any support that I need. There have been some issues with my training provider and deadlines which sometimes get in the way of my day-to-day role, but I understand that my main goal is to complete the apprenticeship programme before I can commit 100% of my time to my job.

I feel very valued at Lloyds banking group and in my team/wider area. My manager does a great job at giving feedback and is always willing to support me. If I deliver something to a project or a piece of work that impresses my team or manager they will recognize it and this makes me feel very valued and more motivated to do the best I can.

Lloyds on-boarded us very well to the program, and we had a good induction session to meet many senior members in different areas and also the other apprentices in our intake. I am given the appropriate amount of time to work on my apprenticeship while also working on my job role.

My training provider does provide support and advice, but getting in contact sometimes can be an issue and response times are slow. But they do help us and organize our training and get all of our exams booked OK. Also I have a bi-monthly face-to-face meeting with my apprentice facilitator from my provider which helps a lot.

I receive a lot of support from my employer when I need it, and there are many different people I can ask when I encounter anything, and most people are free to help me. I am happy with asking any questions and I always learn something new when talking to my team about technical details.

I currently live at home with my parents so my current grade is perfect right now. I do have to travel quite far to get to the office every day. I will be moving closer very soon, and my salary/package will enable me to live comfortably even at my grade as an apprentice.

Yes there are lots of different events and classes that go on inside and outside of the office. I do not take part in these things usually, but they do look interesting. We are partnered with different charities that we are encouraged to donate to so I feel we play a big part in the community.

Yes

Lloyds Banking Group have been very supportive of me, and the team and area I have been put in is really enabling me to succeed and drive my career. Also I am having a lot of fun in my current role and I will be continuing on in this team once I complete the programme. I will then be trying to build my career as best as I can from there. LBG IT apprenticeships really is a stepping stone into the IT industry and banking and hopefully I can have a great career and this is the beginning of my journey.

I would recommend: -- Try to collaborate with others at the group interviews -- Study for any assesments -- Make sure you have a background of the company and have the knowledge to answer high level questions. -- when you first start out in your team, instantly get stuck in and ask any questions you have. You are the apprentice so everyone is happy to help you and it will pay off when you get caught up to speed and they can have a valuable member of the team