Systems Analyst Review

I am a Systems Analyst apprentice, I help with the development of new software for internal use of our employees and the external use of our customers. I have also helped to test this software, using BDD and Selenium Webdriver. I have frequent meetings with my manager to ensure I am on task and understand what to do.

While working in the office I have learned Python by using it to create software for our projects. I have learned Java and JavaScript from my QA courses, as well as HTML, CSS and a few JavaScript libraries. I am currently learning ReactJS as I create a new front-end for one of our existing internal services. I am also capable of using version control services like Git and Bitbucket to store projects and share them with co-workers.

I enjoy the program, my co-workers are supportive and friendly, and we occasionally get together outside of work. I also have the company of the other apprentices, who I often spend my lunch break with. I enjoy the fact that I am gaining a lot of skills in my role, which is very varied and gives me a chance to learn things I would not have done outside of the job.

I feel valued in my role, I am frequently given important tasks relating to current projects my team is working on, which makes me feel like they trust me to complete them to a high standard. I am not given busywork or unimportant tasks, only tasks relevant to my course and job role.

The program is very well structured. We had almost a full week of induction, teaching us about appropriate behaviour and interactions in the workplace, as well as the history of the company and the products we offer. My external courses are on a regular schedule, once per month, with a skills coach also visiting on a regular basis to check we are on track.

I have regular meetings with a skills coach to make sure I am on track. I am also able to send any case studies / coursework to my skills coach for marking and suggestions for improvement. The tutors in the external courses are knowledgeable and help any student that may become stuck or confused.

We meet with the apprentice scheme manager on a regular basis to ensure we are on track to complete the apprenticeship. I also check in daily with my manager to make sure I have a task for the day and know how to complete it. I am given time within the work week to work on apprenticeship coursework and case studies.

I earn above living wage in my role, and any expenses incurred while travelling on company business can be charged back and will be refunded by my employer. As I live at home and have very few expenses the wages I receive are more than enough. My commute is expensive but this is because I travel by train.

My team occasionally goes to technology conventions in London and other places, and there are regular opportunities within the company to participate in volunteer or charity work. The apprentices are often asked to visit school career fairs and similar events in order to help educate students about the scheme, as an alternative to university.

Yes

The apprentice scheme is well organised and I feel it has been very beneficial so far. I am able to learn and earn money at the same time rather than spending money on university and getting into debt. I also feel like the range of things I have learnt is very diverse and would have been more limited on a university course. Learning in a real world environment provides new situations and opportunities you would not get in a more controlled/fixed environment like a university course.

You will need to apply through QA Apprenticeships as they handle Prudential's application process for IT courses. You will have an initial interview with QA and possibly a aptitude test, then 1-2 group interviews afterwards. Don't worry too much about qualifications as Prudential is more interested in your attitude and willingness to leaner rather than qualifications.