QA Test Analyst Review

When I joined Barclays I was put into the role of a Test Engineer as part of the Pingit Release Team. A Test Engineers role is to test the functionality of the applications many features and to make sure everything is working, as well as to discover and raise any defects within the app to ensure that these can be fixed so that when the app is put onto the market then there is not issues for users.

Throughout the whole apprenticeship experience i have learnt/ develop a numerous amount of skills varying from communication to action based skills. A few that instantly spring to mind are communciation, communicating with not just new members on your team around you but external resources or 3rd party employees. I have also developed an understanding of test and code which i previously had no knowledge in at all.

Since day 1 i have really enjoyed the programme. Everything from the people running the programme to the people you work with along the way in terms of other apprentices and your team colleagues has been amazing, they are really kind and considerate and ensure that whilst working/ learning you are having fun along the well.

The programme was really well organised in some parts and could also do with a lot of work in others. From day one our college course was delayed and it took 6/8 months for us to initally start going to college, from them we each established that we were on the wrong course and very little linked to our job role. In order to resolve the issue they were extremely organised when it came to setting up meetings and constantly chasing to ensure it got fixed.

From day one i personally have received an extensive amount of support from both the apprenticeship board/ runners and my line manager. When experiencing some personal issues with passing my exams both the apprenticship runners and my line manager were always there reassuring and making sure everything was okay, they constantly helped out throughout the whole course and offered a significant amount of support

Throughout the course we received a considerate amount of suport in terms of helping us learn the criteria for the exams and learn the new topics. As stated in an earlier comment we had issues when it came to the course not directly linking to my job role therefore we had issues passing the initial exams, throughout this process we received a lot of support from the training provided

Once again as stated earlier the course was not directly linked to my job role therefore not much of the courses criteria helped me perform better in that sense however apart from that there was numerous things that i have learnt to such as coding, i now have an understanding on that and i can take that into my job role to not just help me perform better now but also in the future

Yes there are contantly extra activites for people to get into, a brief example would be that of football after work between work colleagues therefore one day after work members of the team will stay late an play football against each other and enjoy social activities. There are also working activiites that occur, on occassion schools come to our work and they ask for apprentices to participate an help out.

Yes

I have friends and family members who work for Barclays so before joining i had heard that it is an amazing place to work, varying from the facilities to the people. As soon as i joined i could see just exactly what they meant, the facilities are second to none and the people are so kind, friendly and helpful

If i had to give any advice to others applying for Barclays i would say just be yourself, be honest and also be willing to learn. Personally i think that when joining/ applying for a new role it is important to be honest so that the people running the programme can really see what your like, for example if you are unsure on anything don't be scared to show that you are unsure however that you're completely willing to learn as this wil appeal to them.