Solution Architect Review

The job role is part of the barclays mobile banking team and as a solution architect, I am involved in designing new features to be implemented into the app. The requirements are raised by the business and then as part of my role, i create design documents which are then issued to stakeholders to start development and testing of the feature. All the features directed to me are lending and mortgage related.

Existing skills i have developed within the job role are communciation, team work, organisational skills and inituative. I am required to liase with many different teams and organise design walk throughs to inform the build team how the feature must be built and answer design queries. Many of these colleagues are based offshore, so communication skills are vital. I also work on many different projects at a time to meet strict deadlines, so organising my time wisely is key.

The position i have been allocated at Barclays i find particularly challenging. I was allocated a techincal role, without techincal experience so trying to learn everything as i go along is particularly stressful, as well as meeting the job role expectations. However, in comparison to many roles, i think ive been allowed the chance to contribute effectively to the organisation and been given lots of responsibilites and opportunities.

The programme i have untaken whilst working at Barclays is the software development programme (QA) course. The course started 8 months later than we were orginally told, which was frustrating because its meant as the job role reponsbilites have grown, so has the amount of coursework we've been issued. Its been quite hard to balance all the requirements that need to be met as part of the apprenticeship.

I think its difficult to have a great deal of support in this role, because you communicate with so many people and the majority of people are not aware im an apprentice. However, i work on a large friendly team who are always there to offer support and answer any queries i have.

The people teching the course were all very knowledgeable and good at delivering the course. The place itself was well equipped and a great place to study. However, the skills coach lets the company down as conflicting information is told to different apprentices on the course and the deadline for each piece of coursework is not highlighted.

The course i took didnt really help much towards my job role. I think the programming side of things is good background knowledge to have but not particularly vital for my role. Looking back, i think i would have benefitted undertaking the project management course, as i think it would have been easier to transfer in future job roles.

There are lots of opportunities at work, including a gym, bonfire night and sports events. I am currently training to participate in the 3 peaks challenge with 23 other Barclays colleagues to help raise money for Cheshire east Hospice. Barclays promote citenzship skills and match any funds you raise up to £1000 and allow 2 days a year to dedicate to charity events.

Yes

Barclays at Radbroke hall is situated in a great lcoation and has a very relaxed atmosphere. I know when i speak to my friends about their work, they always say how much theyd like to have a position at Radbroke. Although it is an office based job, there are lots of walks around the site and theres nothing from stopping you from having a break from work during the day. They promote flexible working, which allows me to work from home once a week and have flexible working hours. Their is plenty of encouragement around the company and opportunities to progress, which is particularly important when starting off as an apprentice.

Take lots of notes, i write everything down whether its from meetings or just advice people tell me. It makes it easier to go back, review and digest what youre leaning as you go along. I get asked millions of questions i dont know, so the best thing it to let people know youve jotted the query down and will go and find out the answer and get back to them. Just take every day as it comes and make the effort to get to know other apprentices. It makes the working day a lot more enjoyable and keeps you more in the loop about whats going on