Technical Engineer Review

Extremely engaging project work is the main focus for each day - these projects are always working with cutting edge technology that will make an impact to many people. Alongside project work, Roke finds time to enhance my skillset by assigning me to innovation tasks. These tasks are usually ideas spun up by employees which could benefit the company. They are a great way to improve a skill or learn a new one. Each day my line manager will contact me, and ask if I require any additional support and makes sure that there are no issues.

Since starting Roke in August 2019 developing and learning new skills has become common practice for each day - which has made this apprenticeship priceless. I have learnt a bundle of programming languages and have honed my current skill set. Whilst working on cutting edge projects you will naturally find yourself learning skills that not many people have learnt - quickly turning you into a professional in that certain area. Alongside professional skills, personal skills are not neglected - daily and weekly catch ups with mentors alongside the intensive training at the beginning of employment has really bettered me as a person. Roke has also helped me by allowing me to attend "Capture The Flag" events and conferences, furthering my computer and social skills.

The workplace is wonderful, every employee is always there to help - the general moral of the company is extremely high. The location of Roke (being set in the countryside) definitely has its perks, it's very pretty. Combine the location with the ability to freely move around the workplace makes working there even better. Roke hosts various events, such as fireworks night, a "Summerfest", "Rokefest" etc - where you can bring friends and family to enjoy a day / night out. The company culture here is amazing and I wouldn't change it.

Induction and training for the first initial months are very well organised. There is an abundance of support during those months and will always be support for the rest of your employment. As this is a degree apprenticeship, one day a week you will be sent to university where you will further enhance your skills and earn a degree. You will have a mentor at university and at Roke manor - who will communicate to make sure you are not struggling at all. Work load would seem intensive with university being a factor. Where at times it is - Roke will free up time for you to complete assignments and make sure you are not stressed out.

My line manager checks up on me each day and will do anything in his power to support me through my apprenticeship. My mentor makes sure university is going well and will help out if there are any issues. The HR and resourcing team at Roke are amazing, you can voice what kind of profession you would like to go into, and they will find projects and work related to your desired sector. If a task is deeming tricky, Roke has a huge team of professionals in every skill area that are there to help out.

Winchester University has been okay, they set assignments and will try and support you as much as they can. Though as it is a very big university, getting help would seem hard to come by. But if you speak to your lecturer they are more than happy to help out. I have found that if someone at the university cannot help, I will contact my mentor at Roke and he will help out instead.

Since being at Winchester University (1st year) I have learnt a lot of business theory, though helpful does not support me during my workplace. My skills will be enhanced through the second and third year of university - as we will hone in on more technological practicals and theory. Some technological theory I have learnt has been applied to some of my projects.

Roke hosts various events, such as fireworks night, a "Summerfest", "Rokefest" and Christmas events - where you can bring friends and family to enjoy a day / night out. Sports are endless at Roke. We have a gym, tennis court, rounders tournament every summer. Various leisure and social clubs. We also have a bar!

Yes

It's an amazing place to work and I have learnt so much. Everyone is friendly and there to help. The projects are very engaging and come with big impacts - the workload is perfect. You learn on the job whilst also going to university for a degree - both make you extremely valuable after the course.

Be yourself if you get to interview stage - interviewers will see straight past anything fake. Bring something to the interview - they love to see that you are learning at home. Learn new things at home - machine learning? A new language? Anything to show other than A level grades will give you that boost.