DA Assosiate Apprentice Review

My role consists of several functions, the 1st and most important is training this is where I am given the tools and software to learn all the complexities within my role, regular shadowing blocks are organised to ensure my knowledge and skills are operating at the level that allows me to execute excellence. Since digital accessibility is the team I am currently working in, my role involves governing internal platforms and applications. By working alongside internal teams as a consultant, we advise them on what is accessible and what is not. Finally, being an advocate for change means speaking to internal and external functions helping to inspire change and encourage stronger accessibility implementation.

Within my role, I have learnt how to code in HTML, develop websites and use java script. I have also become an advanced excel user; now understanding how to code functions set up pivot tables and create dashboards. I have increase my confidence levels while attending external events, now understanding the intricacies that is involved in explaining software and tools. I am dyslexic however, I have been given the tools and knowledge that allows me to still excel in my work. Finally, I have learnt the importance of accessibility and the governance process within accessibility.

I love the program I am currently on it allows learning and freedom of untapped growth; I have been exposed to directors Managing Directors and CEO's that all started from the same position as myself. I regularly attend Football on Friday with 10/12 people taken from different division within the organisation allowing me to further build my network.

The Barclays side of my programme is very well organised with a consistent work stream set up and regular team meetings and 1:1s allowing me to speak freely if I was to have any concerns, My university could however be more structured, over this year alone I have had 3 different lecturers for one course, and unexpected coursework with very short deadlines e.g. two weeks.

My employer is very supportive and understanding regarding a large variety of things such as; university clashes, he himself was on the graduate scheme and feel this has made him emphatic. I have built a great work based manger friendship where we can have regular decisions regrading my work progression and my dyslexia.

Since the training provider is UEL, I will purely be referencing them below. To be completely honest the support given by the university is always going to be dependent on the lecture. My 1st year was amazing as the lecture who was teaching us at the time Aaron was a great teacher and always had time to help his students even if that meant mising his lunch break to do so, whereas others haven’t been the best and seem less keen and have a lack of passion for teaching.

While learning technology processes I have learnt about lean agile and the waterfall process, learning about these way of working has allowed me work more efficiently while working with or alongside projects. Practising presentations has also given me a lot more confidence, allowing me to speak within team meetings and host energizers within larger team functions

There is a swimming pool of extra- curricular activities to get involved in, such as: • Games club • Football team • Chess club • Charitable activities • Boxing classes • Dance club • and many others I am currently apart of the football team, the chess club and BUK citizenship team with my first chess game coming up today at 6pm.

Yes

In my opinion Barclays has an amazing way of creating a family community while still pushing work life balance, they are continuously pushing the boundary of ordinary and creating excellence in everything they do. Barclays is fierce business with a warm heart that will not convert your voice into whispers but go beyond to ensure all hear it.

Be yourself but the best version of you, Barclays is a business that is continually looking to innovate, so know your Spike (talent/skills) and let it be seen. Know exactly what Barclays can do for you and what you can do for it the more confident you are in yourself the more confident Barclays will be in you. .