Apprentice QA Analyst Review

I am asked to design and carry out tests on a range of software that is developed either for internal or external use. I need to ensure the quality of the software created is correct to the intended use or audience and find any defects/bugs that may have appeared during the development stage of the product. Within this job, I communicate with developers, products owners, managers and also to other members of the testing team.

I am new to the role of a software tester/QA Analyst so I am learning a lot of new skills as part of my job role. I am also developing skills that I had prior to working at Sage and the environment that I work in allows for these skills to be displayed and also improved on a constant basis as each project that I work on has different variables which require my skill set to be applied differently in comparison to each other. I have also been provided with several internal and external training courses to go alongside my work and apprenticeship work to further my skill set to become a better tester which therefore improves the team as a whole.

I have given the score as there has been a change in the learning provider of my apprenticeship course. This was due to the initial learning provider not providing the correct course that is associated with my job role. This was not of Sage's doing as my manager and the members of staff involved with setting up the apprenticeship at Sage being under the impression that they were being provided with the correct course that they had asked for initially. However, my manager and the people involved with setting up the course have been fantastic in finding a new provider with the correct course in which I am to start in the immediate future. I enjoy working with the members in my team as they have been excellent in providing support when needed/asked and they have been welcoming since my first day and I feel like I get along great with each person. I didn't have in depth expectations for when I began my course as I have never worked for a company like Sage of in the environment that the teams operate in but I was blown away by how well Sage looks after their employees and also for how great each person that I have interacted with so far has been towards me

I mentioned in the previous answer about the situation regarding my apprenticeship. I don't believe that i can score this highly as I have yet to be fully immersed in the programme set out for me but finally having the issue resolved has removed any frustration that I have had with the situation with the previous learning provider. I am excited to get involved in the course and become more skilled in my job.

I have received fantastic support from the employer. This includes my line manager, HR department and the people who organise the apprenticeships. We had an issue with a previous provider as they did not set up a relevant course to go alongside my job role but that has been rectified quickly and efficiently by those involved with organising my apprenticeship as they have been able to identify and sign up with a new provider with a more relevant course.

I have only just begun working with the new provider but the level of support and interaction has been great and a stark contrast to the previous training provider. I have already had several calls with my tutor regarding lesson plans, what is expected of myself and from the provider, all the relevant and even smaller details. I can't comment on guidance of any problems as I have not any so far with the provider.

Again this is hard to answer as I have only began to work with the new training provider of my course. However I have seen an outline of the content and I have had more detailed exposure to some topics already. This exposure has already assured me that the course will be 100% relevant to my job and it will enhance my skill set and experience to what I already know and I also feel that works the other way round as the experience I have gained so far in my job role will help with the course.

Sage has provided and still does provide a vast range of extra curricular activities to participate in. This ranges from Charity days in which i can choose what cause to help with, they have an onsite gym and will have membership access to the gym at the new office location. I have also been to social activities organised by the company or just by my line manager and team. This has helped the process of acclimatising to working at Sage so much easier to what I anticipated.

Yes

Even though I have not been with Sage for a long period of time, I have never been so happy to work for a company like Sage as they have such an emphasis of the success and well being of colleagues. I have never experienced a company that has emphasised and cared for their staff like Sage. This comes from the people at the top all the way down to line managers. As of now, I can not see any reason for any sort of change to my job and I believe that will continue for years to come

Soak up as much information as you can from the interviews to the days of the on boarding process as even though there is a lot to take in, all the information is useful even if it is not directly to your job role. For your interview, sell yourself not just based on the qualifications on your CV but also on your character/personality and how you can be someone who can fit well into a team and how you will/what you will bring to the team to help it suceeed.