Consultant Review

When starting the programme CGI throw you into any random role, no matter what you applied for or what your course is. This means it's hard to get through the course and meet the apprenticeship standards unless you decide to move role (which is not always supported by your line manager) . I'm now satisfied in a new business consultancy role where I'm involves with branding, marketing and client activities but it was a challenge to get here.

In terms of developing skills, the course doesn't help you do this as the quality training provided is below satisfactory. Most of my learning has been self-taught from textbooks, not actually from good quality teaching from the training provider. I have learnt people skills through work and my team, but on the actual degree course I wouldn't say I have learnt any valuable skills.

Answering honestly, I can't wait to finish the programme. As a person who likes structure and appreciates people being organised the course has been a nightmare. The communications from the training provider are terrible, and they don't treat people with respect. During COVID-19 policies to help students succeed are applicable to full time students but not to degree apprentices. Every month there has been an issue with the programme that is raised to the company and training provider, yet it never gets resolved. This means the quality of the degree apprenticeships gets worse and worse every year.

The programme has absolutely no structure to it. No one is ever updated and communications are horrendous which leaves all the students very anxious. The company nor training provider have done anything to improve the programme contents, structure or communications even though it has been raised various times to management.

The student recruitment team within the workplace are known as the main point of contact/support. However, they are clearly too over utilised making them unable to give much support at all. Instead of supporting and believing in us, they constantly ignore students and tell them they are incorrect when valuable feedback is given. This feedback could drastically improve the course, but they choose to ignore it!

The training provider (Winchester university) is very unorganised and can't send out the simplest of communications. Students constantly get told to just 'deal with it' when there is a prominent issue. Certain staff are rude and unprofessional expecting students to act like adults, but treating them like school children when it suits. Policies introduced to support students during COVID-19 (that apply to full time students) aren't applicable to degree apprentices. The university have done nothing to support us through this hard time.

The course has not helped me improve my quality of work or perform better in my role, as the quality training provided is below satisfactory. Most of my learning has been self-taught from textbooks, not actually from good quality teaching from the training provider. I have learnt people skills through work and my team, but on the actual degree course I wouldn't say I have learnt any valuable skills.

Yes the sports and social club is good where members pay a monthly fee but get discounted tickets to work events. There are many networking events such as the annual tour and team events which are also fun to attend. However, not all teams get the same benefits and opportunities due to different expense limits per business unit which is unfair.

No

I'd recommend the company to a friend but unfortunately not the degree apprenticeship course. Everything I have learnt on the degree course can be self-taught. The course is also stressful as the training provider and employer do not listen to feedback meaning it gets less structured and harder every year.

If you want to apply to CGI, make sure you know the commitment and hard work you need to put in. It's not going to be an easy degree and you need to manage your time well. Make sure you know what type of role you want to do and show your enthusiasm. Turning up to an assessment centre not knowing what career you want at CGI, suggests a lack of commitment and interest which may lead to you not being selected.