Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
- 9a. Would you recommend Barclays to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Barclays?
My role is a Test analyst in the self service and Branch test team. We focus on maintaining and updating new and enhanced functionalities across the self service devices, for example ATM, ASC, QSP and OBP. We work to ensure that the customers needs are met with each update, as well as ensure that all regulations are met.
I have learnt many new skills regarding testing, since I had come straight from high school I did not have much experience in a working environment. I have learnt how to become more professional in the way that I speak to my peers, and I have also developed my communication skills to the point where I can now speak clearly and confidently on calls with other colleagues, and express my ideas in a logical and understandable manner.
I enjoy my program a great deal; I love the change in environment from school and I find that, although you have deadlines to meet, you can work in a way which suits you. I am also given time to do my college work and I have a very supportive line manager who listens to what I require and does his best to provide what I need.
I think that my program is reasonably well organised. One of the only things that I can fault is the delay between starting the role and then starting the college course, as this was a matter of months. Otherwise, I am impressed with the overall structure of my apprenticeship scheme.
I receive a great deal of support from my employer, who listens attentively to what I require or what I am struggling with and does his best to point me in a direction which they think will help. If he is unsure, he follows up with other peers in order to answer my query.
The support is generally good, however it can take training providers a few days to get back in touch via email. Other than that it seems good.
I think that the qualification, although it is in development not testing, greatly helps me to understand the way the organisation works, as well as the different responsibilities. It has also helped me grasp a good knowledge of code, which although may not be 100% useful now, i feel has opened up another door for my future decisions
There are many other opportunities, such as charity days, social outings with team members to celebrate success, plenty of networking opportunities also
Yes
Because from day one i have felt welcomed by my colleagues and I have been provided with a support system which is more than adequate. I am treated on a level equal to my colleagues and everybody is wiling to lend a hand when they can.
Stay relaxed in the interviews and chat to people, without loosing focus of your aim.
Details
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Knutsford
May 2019