Software Engineering Degree Apprentice Review

As a software development role it has varied a lot depending on project but either producing and running test scripts, producing requirements, design, coding front end, backend or project documentation. Sometimes managing smaller projects and applications.

Yes, I have a Level 4 Diploma, Foundation Degree, Honours Degree. I also have done some external training in Lean Learning and Personal development. I have learnt many programming languages, systems and software practices, corporate management, behaviours, the software development lifecycle, usablity etc. It took me from no computing experience to a competant software developer.

I enjoy my programme, it's varied and the people are wonderful. The quality of work changes because we move across tasks and projects frequently there are so many but I think work is usually inconsistent. The culture in my office is great, inclusive and motivated but it can be slow to move through processes which is frustrating.

Organisation of my apprenticeship scheme didn't meet my expectations in terms of long term planning which made it more stressful than it needed to be, however I have seen this improve in later years. Some plans for our education were erratic and disrupted, support over these issues could be patchy as well. The essential building blocks are all there, they just need tying together.

Support over my education and diploma were lacking for me in my business location, we suffered from illnesses, redundancies and absenses from early careers. I would say that the attitude and focus to resolve these issues were strong but that it was a difficult situation to find a quick solution for. In the later year apprentices have a better managment structure and a more direct route for find resolutions although it is not fully embedded yet. Within my business unit support has usually been pretty good, mentors and peers are very willing to offer help and HR and Ethics are good at pushing issues for you.

This year I received more support than previous years; previously we went to a local college and their attitude was disinterested with us pushing for what we needed as well as learning things that weren't likely to progress our careers. Recently we have moved to block weeks at university, most of the tutors and especially the lead tutor are knowledgable and care about helping us do our best. However because of the style of learning I felt there was not much assessiblity to our tutors and that we would be a bit lost between our blocks.

I think that what I learnt in the last year is highly applicable to the work I do currently. I tend to work in a web development environment at the moment, and the modern tools - like web development frameworks as well as use of RESTful APIs and SOAP come up in my day to day. I don't often have a direct use of the skills I have acquired by there's usually something related, for example I often work with SQL and stored procedures even though I was never formally educated in applications I use them for in this area my education was more broadly around RDBMS.

Yes, there are company events usually twice a year at the local office - such as a BBQ or Sporting event. The apprenticeship also provided many extra-curricular activities, celebration events, outreach, charity events, careers events. On top of this in work you can take part in a choir, mindfulness, gaming, cycling, football and a reduced gym membership has many members from work.

Yes

You are unlikely to get many better offers - although I'm sure there are better organised and better paid careers. The work I do feels impactful, the atmosphere is good, my qualifications are paid for, the salary is good, the work is long-term and secure and there is the opportunity to improve the scheme by returning feedback.

Take up a broad mix of activities, you want a technical background and interests but showing you will add to the environment is also important.