Apprentice Software Developer Review

Working along side Senior Developers to create and maintain TfL's code base. The exact work varies on the exact team, with some working on TfL's various websites, some do internal applications and others the backend for things such as Oyster or contactless card payments. Most of the teams are using Scrum so throughout the week there are a number of he Scrum ceremonies to participate in.

I have learnt a number of new programming languages as well as the technology that makes up the environment that the programmes run on. Beyond the syntax for languages, I've learnt a how to design solutions as well as implement them in a maintainable and extendable way through the use of design patterns.

Being placed into different teams throughout the apprenticeship has meant I have been able to get a varied workload that hasn't just focused on one element, such as front end web development. Working along side Senior developers as well as on established code has allowed for an interesting insight into how others solve problems and the trade offs in doing so. Even as an apprentice you are given responsibility, especially towards the end, and your views and suggestions are taken seriously.

Getting my first placement didn't happen as quickly as it should have happened, with a number of false starts due to cancelled projects. However, it seems like lessons have been learnt and sometimes things happen that are out of the control of the apprenticeship manager. Once on placements, everything ran smoothly.

With a constant apprenticeship manager and then a placement manager within the team you are placed, there is a direct point of contact for issues. However, once in a team I have found no need to use these as I have been able to get any required support from any colleague.

I attended around 6 residential training courses throughout the apprenticeship. These courses were often of little help as I'd already covered the subject in the workplace at a greater level of detail. The courses and number have now changed for future years though. Beyond this, when marking my project write ups there seemed to be a disconnect between the QA and the mentor. It wasn't until the getting the final portfolio done that it seems the QA saw the project write ups and then raised issues on projects you did a year or more ago. so you can't remember what was done very well and may have a hard time finding the evidence of work done to make changes.

The qualification is largely irrelevant, as was the residential training as it was covered in more detail, and typically before the course, in the work place. The real world work that I have done has been the main benefit and has been the testing ground for any knowledge that has been gained.

No, but they are available and other apprentices have taken part in them and apparently enjoyed them.

Yes

The pay may not be the very best for an apprenticeship, but it is up there. There is a varied work load available and you won't just be doing one thing for the whole time. It has a relaxed working environment, with the ability to work form home and flexible working around the core hours.

Know the Mayor's Transport Strategy, it is what will define much of the work that Transport for London does and so will give an idea of what sort of work you would be doing. Look at TfL's apprenticeship website pages, they will contain all the information that you need.