Apprentice Software Developer Review

My role is to create software that meets the requirements of both internal and external users. I work in an Agile scrum team, where we have daily stand-ups and a task board, as well as utilising other Agile tools. I work in a team of 6-10 people, and we have completed a variety of development projects so far.

I have learned lots of new skills during my apprenticeship so far. This includes technical skills such as both client side and server side development, and softer skills like interacting with others in a professional environment and internal communications. It is crucial to my current role that I work well in a team, which means that my teamwork skills have gotten a boost too.

I enjoy my programme a lot. I have lots of internal opportunities to develop myself personally and professionally. I like the team that I work with every day, and I like how much I learn from these people. I also enjoy the actual software development work that I do day to day.

The structure and support from my work is excellent, and my line manager will give me any training days or supplies that I need. However, my induction onto my course with my training provider got off to a bit of a rocky start. My impression of them has since improved.

My line manager is incredibly supportive - he understands what I need as an apprentice, and offers me support and resources before I can even think to ask to them. I interact closely with other apprentices who are on the same apprenticeship as me too, so we can compare notes on our training provider and answer each other's questions if we need to.

I receive a good amount of support from my training provider. If I have any technical issues or any problems with the learning material, there is always someone to contact, and they will always get back to me. In general, my lecturers seem to want the class to succeed, and they will often work hard to get us to a place where we feel confident and prepared for our final piece of coursework.

I feel that some parts of my qualification definitely help more than others in my role. I am only 6 months through a 4 year course, so the material will change and become more complex, but for example as a current professional software developer, the "introduction to programming" module is not too useful to me. I understand that everyone needs to get on the same page though, and there will definitely be some modules I will encounter in the future that I find difficult but others are finding very easy. I have been able to put a fair amount of what I have learned into practice from the "professional practice" module, as this relates directly to how to utilise what I am learning in my apprenticeship.

There are lots of networks and events that anyone within the company can join. I am part of lots of diversity and inclusion networks which often hold networking or social events, and there are regular apprentice meet-ups on a social basis in the evenings which I could attend if I wanted to. There is a gym in my building which I am not a member of, but I think they hold semi-formal classes, and coworkers attend the gym together socially.

Yes

The culture within Fujitsu is one of learning and supporting each other. It is a pleasant place to work - there are downsides, like in any workplace, but overall Fujitsu is a great place to start your career. There are plenty of networking opportunities, and you get a good insight into what is required in your chosen career.

Be as genuine as you can in your interviews. If you don't have certain technical skills then you can always be trained, they are largely looking for your personality and how you interact with others. Of course, it is always good if you have examples of when you've displayed good teamwork or technical skills too!