Apprentice Software Developer Review

I work as part of a team to build internal web applications for the business. Technologies we utilise include TypeScript, Git, Node.js, React, and many others and work as a team using the Scrum Framework. That means my day is usually made up of Standup in the morning, and then spending most of my time developing the applications we build. I tend to keep meetings to a minimum, so I'm usually only involved with project steerings, retrospectives, etc.

When I started I had almost no knowledge with JavaScript development beyond building simple websites in my spare time and now I am very confident with my skills as a JavaScript/TypeScript developer and specifically with the MERN stack. I've also gained a lot of experience with generic office skills like how to lead meetings, estimating and keeping to a work schedule, and generally how to communicate with different users around the business.

I think it's brilliant. Premier Foods is a great company to work for, and QA is very supporting to help you complete your apprenticeship in good time. Could not have asked for a better place to start my career.

It's pretty well plotted out. There was some switching of various lessons due to availability that would have perhaps been better in the original order but it's not a huge issue, just a nitpick.

From Premier, and my Line Manager especially I get a lot of support when I was starting in my role and while working on my apprenticeship. There was an understanding that if I needed more time to complete my apprenticeship one week then I could take it, which was very helpful when it came to serious deadlines.

I would say that in terms of support, you are giving a contact who monitors your progress but they are rather detached from your individual apprenticeship so they have no specific knowledge. I think that if you were struggling with deadlines then you might have trouble with the lack of response and aid provided but if you can keep up with the programme you'll have no worries.

What I've learned at QA is useful as it teaches a lot of the theory behind what I was doing at work without realising it. So as a TypeScript developer I found a lot of the practices that I adhered to (because that's how we worked as a team) were part of OOP principles which I didn't really make the connection until I was taught it on one of the courses.

There are lots of these that pop up now and again, I tend not to get involved too heavily but the team building exercises, especially last years, was a lot of great fun. There have also been some events that I've gone to, hosted by tech industry giants, that have been really interesting and engaging.

Yes

Premier is a great place to work. The office culture is very friendly and inviting. The support network in place is appreciated, and genuinely the work going on is really interesting and rewarding. And, of course, I feel that I've learned a lot while I've been here, both related to my role at Premier specifically and developing skills that a Software Developer needs to utilise in any role.

Thinking back to how I was when it came to interviews, I'd say just relax and be yourself. Read up on the company, visit the website, learn the aims and goals, any recent things in the news, etc. Brush up on your skills as you'll probably be expected to answer some things related to your role. Interviews are scary but the culture at premier is very inviting, I wish you the best.