IT Apprentice Application Support Review

I work for HMRC with the tax system. I work in the team incident team and I work with any code which runs through with a failure. I have to work out the problem, explain how it can be fixed or explain why it is working to design. I also have to interact with other teams by email to explain these problems. One day a week (Wednesday), I attended college which is part of my apprenticeship and every so often I attend NVQ meetings and work on my NVQ.

So far into my apprenticeship, I have learnt new skills at college in the IT course. These skills include how to build your own system and databases. I also do an NVQ with this apprenticeship which has taught me skills on email ettiquette and new skills on excel. I have also achieved a qualification in English through NVQ. Through my training for my role, I did C training which is a computer language and I did SQL training. Into my role I have learnt a lot of Unix from doing day to day activities.

I enjoy the team I work with as they all made me feel welcome into the team and I am comfortable around them all. I also enjoy the work I do as I learn new commands everyday and work on unique incidents all the time. I love working for Accenture as they way they treat their collegues is fantastic and really make you feel wanted with good work ethic and occastional goodies. Before I started the apprenticeship, I had no idea I would feel this happy working for this company therefore the job exceeded my expecations.

I feel very valued by Accenture as I have recently got involved in NEDigital girls which is the biggest event with teenage girls to teach them about jobs in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) as these are considered 'male' jobs however they aren't at all. I volunteered to speak to the teenage girls about my role and gave them a chance to ask my any questions. I recieved an appreciation card from the manager of the apprenticeship team and this made me feel great as I really enjoyed the day itself and I had been recognised for volunteering. I feel valued through college with Accenture and through my NVQ work as I recieve good feedback and this makes me feel like my work is worthwhile.

The programme is very well organised. The first 4 weeks of the programme are training in computer languages (C, SQL, Unix) to help us into our roles. Each apprentice is then placed in a role which they have been most suited too. Once into your role you begin college on a Wednesday and work the rest of the week. Studying at college lasts one year to recieve the NVQ and grades to get into University. After the first year, you begin University on a Monday for two years to recieve your foundation degree. Once a month you recieve a meeting with your manager where you're free to talk about whatevers on your mind and how you feel you're improving. Apprentices also get three month reviews which is an overall review of how NVQ, the role and college is going.

Support within training is excellent at Accenture as you can ask for your own training in parts of the role you don't feel confident in. Furthermore, within your team you recieve support and there is always someone around to ask for help. I feel everyone who is there to give support is more than happy to give it as they know the complications of the role. When asking for support off managers, it can be hard to get them when they aren't busy however each apprentice has a buddy on their team who is there to help them and is also someone the apprentice can shadow.

There is constant support within Accenture itself as my manager is always there to support me when I am stuggling with the job role and he either offers help from his knowledge or suggests someone else who can help. In my role, is it easy to access support as there is alway's someone around to help and everyone is happy to help. I also have a mentor who is the manager of the apprenticeship scheme and I message/email her when I need any help or support.

My salary meets my costs well as my main living cost is petrol as I live a while away from where I work. I can also provide myself for social costs and have booked myself a holiday to Thailand for the summer. My daily costs are quite small and I try to save money by bringing in my own lunch to work.

There are so many opportunities outside of work and these are usually all paid for by Accenture. For example, last Friday I attended a comms event which was at the Stadium of Light. This involved free food, drinks, talks with the managing director and social interactions with other colleguaes. We also have work parties e.g. Christmas party which involves food, drinks, dodgums and a dancefloor. I am always volunteering to talk to teenagers and with Accenture I have been to different schools, I have spoke to teenagers in the Sage whilst they were on a school trip and I have also spoke to some in the Cobalt office itself. I also volunteer outside work as on Christmas day 2014 I volunteered to help the homeless. I attend the gym at least twice a week after work to keep up my fitness.

Yes

Because the company itself are an amazing company to work for as there are many roles you can choose from therefore there will always be something to suit you. Furthermore, the way the company treats you makes you feel wanted and there are so many opportunities within the job to work on various projects and volunteering opportunities.

The process works in steps which start with applying online, then a telephone interview, then an assessment day and then reciving the job. My advice would be to be yourself throughout all of this, be confident, make sure there is something different about you to everyone else, don't worry if you don't have an IT background they don't necessarily look for that and stay positive!