Apprentice Release Analyst Review

I work as an apprentice release analyst alongside release managers within MCA (multi channel applications) to deliver changes to the current technology e.g. new "tiles" being added to Fullserve systems used within branch, changes to mobile banking or the app, any regulatory changes that have to be made by law or which may affect the bank such as Brexit etc. We have to make sure all testing has been completed for each change so that it doesn't affect any live service when the change is deployed.

I have learnt quite a bit as the job role is completely new to me as I have had a career change but I know there is still a lot to learn and I have to remember everything I have learnt as things can get quite confusing. I haven't really developed any existing skills as the job role is new to me, other than some computer skills.

Each day is different so some days I do enjoy the job but I am not sure its the area I want to be working in long term. However, within Barclays, there is a lot of room to move around so I know that once I have completed my apprenticeship there may be opportunity for me to work within another area.

The studying side of the apprenticeship with QA is well structured, though we did have to wait a while to get initial dates. I have only done one block out of five of my QA training but I did enjoy it and the lecturers are great as well as the course which was well structured throughout the 10 days. Dates are put in place but I had to change dates for a couple of my modules due to annual leave but this wasn't a problem and was sorted quickly. However, I do think the work side of things could be more structured as after 6 months i'm still not too sure with the job but I do have support from my "tech buddy" every day.

I have a lot of support from Barclays from both my career coach and my "tech buddy" who are both great. I have 1-2-1 meetings with my career coach every month or two, but I know if I needed to speak with her more regular this wouldn't be a problem. My "tech buddy" is probably my main point of support and we speak daily about the job role and what I need to be doing, as well as having more structured meetings when we need it.

I have a lot of support from QA. I have meeting every 6 weeks or so with Steven from QA and I know if I am struggling with anything I can email him or speak to the lecturer. During my first module, I did struggle with the course and the lecturer made it clear each day if anyone needed any extra help he would stay at the end of the day and go through anything that wasn't understood. I wouldn't have passed my first module without his help.

I think that the qualifications that were available were quite minimal (I think there were 3 to choose from). The qualification I am studying doesn't really link very well to my job role, although some modules loosely link. I can't say that the course I am studying (Infrastructure Technician) enables me to do or to understand my job role more.

Yes. Within Barclays there are lots of opportunities to do different things on lunch breaks or after work rather than just "coming to work" such as football at lunch times, there is a gym on site, walking routes around the grounds, joining different groups (either socially or for support) etc.

Yes

I feel Barclays are probably the best company I have worked for. They offer support for many different things and there are many benefits, such as discounts and there is a lot of room to move around the company as well as move up in your career within the bank. The wage for apprenticeships is also one of the best, if not the best that I came across which I was searching for apprenticeships. It's not a massive amount of money and it meant I still had to take a pay cut, but it's enough to live off while I am studying.

I'd definitely encourage it, whether the applicant it "techy" or not as there is room to move around and a lot of jobs are less technology based than others. But on the flip side, there are definitely a lot of much more technical jobs. Even if the applicant doesn't enjoy the role they are given, it's an opportunity to discover what they do or do not enjoy and so they can apply this to a different job role in the future.