Technical Analyst Review

My role when I first started here as an apprentice at Boots was 1st Line Analyst on the retail service desk. This basically involved answering calls from stores who are having technical issues. I had to try and diagnose these issues over the phone. If not, I passed it over to a member of 2nd line or booked it out with our 3rd party engineers. In January, I moved to a different team called Apps Management. This team deal will more of the ‘nuts and bolts’ of the systems and my role involves much more coding and programming – this is where my permanent role is. My job title is ‘Technical Analyst’. Apps Management also have a lot of involvement in projects within the organisation as we are the team who will support the system when it rolls out to stores.

Boots use an external training provider called QA, training with them is amazing. Every course that we have been on with them has been engaging and informative - all of the different trainers know exactly what they're talking about. By the end of my apprenticeship I will have achieved two level 3 diplomas and a permanent job here at Boots. The brilliant thing about QA is that they work to your capabilities. My IT knowledge was very limited before I started my apprenticeship - this wasn't a problem at all. Each trainer simply catered to this without being patronising. In addition to the official training that I receive, I learn new things every day simply in my day-to-day work. My colleagues don't have an issue with me asking questions and writing things down as things are explained to me.

I would recommend the Boots training programme to anybody!

Here at Boots, all employees are treated equally. As an apprentice, I feel I am treated no differently to any other colleague in the organisation. I am still invited along to important meetings and my thoughts and opinions are valued and recognised.

As the StepIn2 apprenticeship is a new programme, there has been a few 'teething issues' in terms of organisation. But as soon as any of these issues were brought to light, they were nipped in the bud immediately. The induction process was brilliant - it took away a lot of the nervousness that we were all feeling. And as I said previously, the training is impeccable.

The trainers themselves are amazing and it is made very clear that they care about the experience we receive. It was just the assessor where things were lacking which has resulted in us having a new one. But like any of the other issues that we had, as soon as we made the relevant people aware, it was sorted instantly.

We have got numerous people who we can turn to for all sorts of different things. We have regular catch ups with the apprenticeship co-ordinators who really care and take seriously what we say. The HR team are amazing as well - they're also there for anything we need and arrange things for us apprentices to do like bowling and quiz night - we all have a real laugh. We could not ask for any more support or guidance from our employers - they really are amazing.

The salary I receive as an apprentice at Boots is very good. I receive more money than any of my friends who are apprentices in other organisations. I can afford to run a car, commute to work, have a social life and put some money aside at the end of the month every month.

There are all sorts of events happening all the time at Boots. They are a big supporter of the charity 'Macmillan' so they have numerous events throughout the year. There is also a gym here onsite which costs just £70 a year to be a member of! You are also encouraged to get out and do things in the community as a Boots employee.

Yes

If you want to be an apprentice on a decent wage, working for a company who genuinely cares then Boots is the employer for you.

I would definitely say, just be YOU. They know when people are being somebody they're not and would much rather see your real personality and somebody who is genuine. And the assessment day is nothing to be worried about!