Apprentice Review

My role within Accenture is 'Regression Test' and this is part of the HMRC account. My daily tasks are to run suites and within those suites run many, many test cases and scripts and make sure they pass - not fail. Internally I speak to many different people on a day to day basis such as; Managers, Team Leads, Peers, people online, people in other offices, etc. My responsibilities within my role is to make sure I have completed the tasks I have been given on a day-to-day basis. There are loads of different projects with in Regression Test, these come under Releases - so; Release, 35, 35.1, 35.2, 36, etc. Every day I come in and test scripts and cases and the put the result into a Spreadsheet, after this is completed I then go in and look at the fails and make sure that they are corrected and dealt with.

When I started Accenture I had GCSE's and 2 A Levels in Level 3 ICT, which i did at Newcastle College. From when I started here in August 2014 I have already learnt so many new skills, including things within my ICT work and things on the job. When I started at Accenture I had a month of 'Boot camp' which was training every day for a month. This is where I learnt basic skills of: Java, Unix, Linux, Coding - all things I might have needed for my job role. When I started my job role I then got offered even more training, this was another week of training with a coach and then my Manager gave me packs that I could look through and write down notes. I think my personal skills have improved also as I know automatically know how to deal with how to write an email or speak to a client. I learn new things every single day working at Accenture.

I really enjoy this Apprenticeship programme, I love getting up and coming to work every day. The team I work with are very friendly and they help me so much every day. From before I started the programme is much better than i even thought, you learn so much every day and you get unlimited help as and when you need it. Everyone has such a can do, positive attitude.

I feel very valued by everyone at Accenture, including: my Manager, Team Lead, Career Councillor, Peers and work friends. Whenever you do something well, people do recognise it. They also always thank you. I took part in a charity day a few weeks ago and I got internal recognition from many people who work for Accenture.

Very. Before we started the programme we knew everything we needed to, I didn't need to ask any questions as it was all there for me. I knew when I needed to be here and I knew where I needed to be. Throughout the first month we had training sessions and we, again, knew where we needed to be and when we needed to be there. The support we get is fantastic as we know it’s always there when and if we need it. The studying aspect of the programme is fantastic and well-structured as well, we get 1 day a week at either College or University (depending how far through the programme you are) we also get night times and weekends for studying too. We also get offered support meetings from out Career Counsellors, these are people we get assigned too and we know there only an email away if we need help, support or just a chat. Within my role tasks are distributed very fairly depending on how much work load I and other people can handle. The whole team knows when and what they need to be doing to deliver a good result when needed. Also within the team I know the system of hierarchy and I know who to go to for different things.

Loads. We don't really have a tutor but we have loads of people we can go to if we ever need help - such as; Kerry and Gordon (who are in charge of the Apprenticeship Scheme), Managers, Team Lead, Peers and work colleagues. Support is very easy to get hold of as everyone you speak to have a very open minded, can do, positive attitude. I know everyone is just an email away and they will be willing to help no matter how big or small me, issue/query is. The general attitude towards supporting myself is very good as I feel like I can ask anything and I don't worry in case my question is silly.

So much. Every single day I learn something new every day and this is due to the support and help I get off people like my manager. If i ever need help he will sit with me until I fully understand what I am meant to be doing. In the past the HR team have been really helpful also, I had a problem with my P45 when I first started and they went out their own way and contacted my old employer. It's very easy to get support and help as and when you need it as the general attitude towards help is very hands on and positive. No one would want you to fall behind, suffer or not understand 100%.

As I am an Apprentice I don't get paid as much as a full time worker. But nevertheless my pay sees me very happily through the month, always with some to spare at the end. As I still live at home i don't need to spend money on 'living costs' as such, but for travel, I have a car so I pay for petrol with my wage. This is a good price regarding location though as I only live around a 10/15 minute drive away from work so it really doesn't cost me much. My daily costs don't amount to much either as I bring in my own lunch with me, meaning I don't have to spend money whilst I'm at work. My social costs are good also as I still have more than enough money every weekend to go out with my friends and family.

Yeah, there are many things to do outside of work, such as charity days you can get involved with and communication event. Communication events are set up by usually by someone high up at Accenture (MD) and this is for everyone who works at Accenture, it will be a day or an afternoon full on talks and presentations to find out about the new things happening and to recap over things that have happened already! There are many volunteering opportunities also, such as charity days and other things such as, choirs and speaking to school about the scheme. With leisure and sports, Accenture pay up to £20 of your gym membership so this gives you good opportunities within this category.

Yes

I would recommend Accenture to a friend because it is such a good opportunity. Instead of paying to do a University course, we are getting ours funded and we are also getting paid monthly to do so! I don’t see coming to work as a task, I enjoy coming to work and that’s why id encourage people to want to get an Apprenticeship with Accenture. Along with the University course there are lots of other benefits, too such as: half your gym membership paid for, performance points, free eye care, 20% off your phone bill, any many more. Along with the benefits you also gain an unlimited amount of experience and skills beyond your imagination. Before I started here I would never have guessed I would know as much as I do and I’m still learning new things every single time I come into work. Along with experience you are meeting new people every day and communicating with peers throughout your days.

The tips I would give are: Throughout the application process make sure you pack it full of information about yourself, to pass this stage you need to get noticed and stand out. So add in all your experience and everything you’ve achieved. At the interview stage - this is over the phone. I'd say you need to think about your answers before you answer them and make sure you also pack these full with information also, give a packed answer - but DON'T ramble on, as this may become a bit boring. If you're lucky enough to get onto the Assessment day you need to make sure you don’t shy away in front of everyone, but then you need to make sure you’re not all in your face and very loud. You need to find a happy medium - you need your voice to be heard, but not over heard. Also time keeping is key - make sure that you’re always keeping an eye on the time - if you get given a task which should take 20 minutes, make sure it is completed in 20 minutes. As on the assessment day you will get asked to complete a task within your team. Also, Accenture are looking for team players - so make sure you show this during the day. If you were to then get past the Assessment day and get offered a place the on boarding process is quite simple, just make sure you answer to emails quickly and effectively to make it easier for everyone. If I was applying again, this is what I would of liked to been told before hand.