Digital Technology Apprentice Review

My role is being a digital technology apprentice within Santander UK, my day to day activities are based upon which placement within the company I am currently working with. My day to day activities can vary dependant on project position and to which members of staff are currently in office, however roughly it consists of meetings, challenging work and rewarding successes.

I have learnt how business information systems have helped businesses to develop and expand from previously technological tightness. I have developed my time management skill extremely well by allowing myself to adopt newly found methods of time management. I have learnt how to successfully refactor and efficiently write code to industry standards.

I haven't been in the programme for more than a year yet however to date I have enjoyed what I have been doing so far, there has been ups and downs but that's completely natural and most downs have always bounced back and positive things occur which really helps me to enjoy it far more.

There has been some clear failures in the structure to my programme, failures on communication and failures on pay progression (new cohorts being paid more than our cohort despite our cohort being more experienced in the business) however after being chased up most structure issues get resolved to an extent.

From the direct employer I believe support could be a lot greater however from the staff members and other employees support is amazing, most if not all staff are often happy enough to provide support with whatever issues or questions an apprentice may have which is always appreciated greatly by all apprentices currently.

We have lectures 2 times a week for approximately 10 weeks at a time, during this time a formative assignment is released to gauge your ability and allows for specific assistance to be provided and then once all lectures are over a summative assignment is released which is graded and goes towards your final grade.

Currently the qualification is going through first year modules which aren't entirely relevant to my current placement however looking into the future it is clear that the modules are of great relevance to the role, whether it be more soft skill performance or work place knowledge the qualification helps my role greatly.

There has been many opportunities to do some extra curricular activities either set up by the business or the apprenticeship cohorts. Business activities can vary in how often they occur which is why the apprentices all try to organise their own extra curricular activities to expand social and business communications.

Yes

It offers a vast variety of placements including digital technology placements, finance placements, financial crime placements and HR placements. They offer competitive rates with several business benefits. The 3 offices in Milton Keynes are relatively close together and provide office car parking spaces. Overall Santander is a great company to work for.

You need to show them you are willing to develop your skills and that you shown a keen interest in developing technology to be far more superior. Never try to fake who you are as they will see straight through you and deny you entry onto the programme. ALWAYS show passion.