Cyber Software Apprentice Review

At the moment, I work on several projects throughout the company, usually with other engineers. In general, my role in these projects range from software development to research, and I frequently participate in meetings and catch up sessions. These catch up sessions will dictate how the project is moved forward. As well as this, I often work on my apprenticeship portfolio, which is required for me to pass my apprenticeship. I will usually spend about an hour a day on this, and in the portfolio I speak about and provide evidence about how I am showing certain skills and meeting certain competencies.

Throughout my time at L-3 TRL I have received 5 qualifications (3 Microsoft qualifications and 2 BCS qualifications). I am currently working towards earning a level 3 infrastructure technician qualification with QA Apprenticeships. I’ve gone on 5 external training courses: Networking and Infrastructure, Mobile and Desktop Operations, Microsoft Cloud Services, Business Processes, and Introduction to Scripting – Coding and Logic.

Generally I enjoy my apprenticeship programme quite a lot. It’s rare that I have to do something I don’t enjoy and I’m given plenty of opportunities to change what project I am working on to something different if I am not enjoying it. Company culture is very good and there are a lot of socials.

I feel very valued by L-3 TRL. It is clear that they are putting a lot of effort into making my apprenticeship programme an enjoyable and worthwhile experience by setting me interesting and challenging tasks, as well as via the Cerebrum programme which has helped me learn a lot about how businesses function.

Towards the start of my apprenticeship programme my apprenticeship was not very well organised. My skills coach did not make contact with me meaning I was not sure what I needed to do to complete my apprenticeship. It wasn’t until later that this issue was noticed and fixed, meaning I was behind on my portfolio. However, since then, I have had a new skills coach and received a lot of support from him, allowing me to become back on track on my portfolio.

I’ve received a lot of support from my training provider. All of the instructors on my training courses were very good in helping me pass my exams and my new skills coach has helped me get back on track with my portfolio very quickly, and has given me a good idea for what I would need to do to get a distinction in my apprenticeship.

Again, I’ve received a lot of support from my employer. When I first started the apprenticeship my line manager set out a lot of tasks to help me quickly develop the skills and competencies I’d need to do my job correctly. Since then I have had frequent 1 to 1s with my line manager, a meeting every month where I can talk about what I’m doing in work, what I’ve enjoyed and if I am having any difficulties.

My salary is very good. It covers all costs I have (rent, car insurance and fuel) and is more than I was expecting.

Yes. The main opportunity outside of work are hackathons, which usually happen once every 2 months. They are a great opportunity for me to develop new skills and learn new things. As well as this, there are frequent social events which have helped me mix in with my co-workers and over apprentices throughout the business.

Yes

I’d recommend L-3 TRL to a friend because so far my apprenticeship here has been an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. It’s been a great opportunity to get the work experience I’m getting having only just left high school, and I’d recommend to anyone interested in having a career in cyber security to join L-3 TRL.

I didn’t actually apply to L-3 TRL – I did a week of work experience and during my time, I was offered an apprenticeship here. I did not go through the application process.