IT apprentice Review

I am currently on placement within the logistics team, helping them to automate one of the processes they have, as well as introducing them to the world of agile, and setting up Jira for the team. My day to day consists of daily meetings on the status of the factory, joining in on innovation topics, and also assisting with some data analysis projects (continuing on from my previous placement)

I have learnt many skills, including learning how the company works, and how the different departments work together to create the end product. I have also learnt more about data analysis, as well as general programming. I have definitely been able to develop existing skills such as python, and I have had additional training from work.

I enjoy the program very much, and it has given me many opportunities, such as travel abroad for work. I like the teams that I have worked with, and I do enjoy my job. I do feel, however, that some of the guidance I have been given has made me question my place in the company.

The apprenticeship is well organised, I have been on many placements throughout the time I have been there, including smartOps, devOps, networks and infrastructure, and also logistics. I enjoy my job very much, and the apprenticeship itself is very well laid out. I also know where I need to go if I have any issues.

I have received some support from both the apprenticeship team, as well as the teams I have worked in. I feel that I have sometimes not been listened to - some of the teams I have been in haven't had the capacity for an apprentice, which can hold me back in terms of learning/gaining experience, and I sometimes feel like I am expected to have prior knowledge of topics I have come across in the workplace (which my university units do not help me with). I have received support in terms of mental health from the workplace, and this has been really useful for me.

I don't feel like I receive enough support from my training provider as I would like, due to the course being very different to the topics I need for work. University and work are sometimes very separated. The university of choice is also quite far away from the workplace, which means I am reliant on other driving apprentices to get me there and back - which can sometimes be an issue if one falls ill.

I don't feel that my qualification helps me perform better at work at all. My job and university feel like two separate entities, and I am constantly having to juggle a job, learning about the topics needed for the job, as well as university. I feel that if the university did teach topics that helped with my job role, I would have settled into the apprenticeship faster.

There is a weekly social for the internship students that I also attend, along with a few other apprentices - this is organised by the students. We also do have a few other optional events (such as the mountain challenge), as well as team bonding sessions outside of work. These are all very enjoyable, and have helped me make friends.

No

Although I have enjoyed my time during the apprenticeship, I feel that there is somewhat of a sexist culture apparent throughout some parts of the company. Because of this, I do feel quite down sometimes about going to work, and has unsettled me about working in the tech sector for the future. I also feel that the choice of university is poor, in terms of teaching material, lecturers and support - and I would not have applied had I known this would be the university I would be studying at (the apprenticeship stated I would attend a different university on the application). Aside from this, I really do enjoy my job role, and I take pride in the work I do.

Try and get work experience in the field you would like to apply for an apprenticeship in - this will help give you an insight into what the company is like, and whether you would be a good fit for each other. Also, make sure you take into account living costs if you are moving away from home, as Oxford is quite an expensive city.