Apprentice Software Engineer Level 6 Review

I am part of the Cloud-Native-Solutions within Vodafone whose goal is to create web/mobile-applications. My day-to-day involves attending daily/monthly-scrum meetings, choosing a specific user-story and finally work toward fixing/implementing these features. Although one day a week is dedicated toward the degree each day is fairly enjoyable and tests boundaries causing us to grow :D

Within Vodafone I have learnt beginner/advanced level of NodeJS, REACTJS, C++, C# and HTML. Implementing useful search/sort-algorithms or general-algorithms to either modify,parse or translate data. Sanitation and securing of data/correct coding standards. From QA it has mainly been SDLC and Maths and Algorithms which could be useful but has yet to be used within my day to day role (except for some aspects with M&A)

To split the ratio: The first 5-stars: Vodafone - 10-stars: Always supportive and always they always try to help and support where possible. The last 2-stars: QA - 4-stars: The workshops themselves are usually decent, but the static-online-training and overall correspondence has been lackluster in regards to modules and general-information has been subpar.

From the Vodafone side everything is always structured and flows smooth. But from the QA it is really a mixed bag. Occasionally QA will be well structured and flow smoothly but then the curve ball hits; either the exam has quite a few issue's on it regarding spelling, grammar, missing/incorrect words and punctuation; or there will be no communication and you will get an email the day before your training stating where and when it will be.

Again 10/10 no matter what support I need whether it be technical that applies to the job, knowledge which applies to the apprenticeship or just general support (i.e mental ) Vodafone is always there to help. And most importantly my team and manager are always there offering to lend a helping hand, a listening ear or even a guiding hand when needed.

From QA themselves there is support, but the information given is more often than not contradictory when querying multiple information sources (trainers). This has led the majority of apprentices I have spoke with to conclude that they should only trust and follow the documentation given as this documentation can not go back on its word and what was written. From my skills-coach its the exact opposite, he always schedules 1-1 meetings to ensure I am keeping sane, do the work and if there is any general support, queries or issue's I have which I would like to be resolved. What I have discovered its usually either an amazing skills-coach and terrible training or the inverse. Never one or the other

Some of the principles that we we're taught are useful but just not to the day-to-day work expected from Vodafone. For example I will be proceeding onto my third module within the first year and I have yet to do a module that teaches anything related to programming. This has led to most of the learning on the job to be more of a Google and a StackOverflow solution.

Yes. There a quite a few actually. The main activities generally include rugby, football teams in regards to apprentice's vs grad's; code like a girl which helps women get into programming which is a mainly male dominated field; the summer ball; charity marathons; team-building excursions. So there is quite a few activities held throughout the year.

Yes

As mentioned above numerous times, the overall support that Vodafone provides rivals most companies in general. Vodafone provides on demand technical support as well as the ability to book a GP appointment on site. In regards to advice there is always someone to ask for any specific type of advice, or they will know someone who can help

The main crucial part is just be yourself. There is no point in pretending to be someone you're not and having to hold the appearance for the majority of the apprenticeship. The interviews are generally relaxed and more like a chat than an interview. There are numerous opportunities within Vodafone to improve yourself namely Vodafone University (which provides training courses for nearly anything)