Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
- 9a. Would you recommend Vodafone to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Vodafone?
On a day to day basis tasks vary depending on the customer, what internal projects you are involved with likewise apprenticeship work is Vodafone's main priority. Within the testing role you will be involved through varying stages such as requirements gathering, test planning, testing, defect raising and regular calls with the customer to give them updates on how testing is going. Vodafone puts a lot of trust into apprentices likewise with this trust comes rewards and great opportunity.
During my time at Vodafone I have been able to develop and learn an outstanding amount of skills these include developing testing techniques, communication, people skills as well. Vodafone has given me such opportunity's to work with other grads and apprentices to help network within the company one key project was Pepper which included making a new learning app for our robot. some other skills I have developed have been PowerApps creating and releasing functional apps within the team likewise PowerBi to assist with reporting.
The program provided has been amazing working within a team that is knowledgeable approachable and supportive of one another. The company is very inclusive of one another and encourages people to step out of their comfort zone to develop skill. Vodafone exceeds expectations of being inclusive as they take into account everyone's opinion ad strive for creativity and greatness. As being an apprentice Vodafone our welfare is very important and they ensure that we are happy within the company likewise all work involved in is fun yet professional and they have exceeded the expectation for providing an appreticeship.
The program is structured in such a way that there is guidance along the whole way and everything that could possibly be needed is available. The training program is structured so that Vodafone will priorities your apprenticeship above everything else they will also help in time monument if you feel over-whelmed with work. 20% of time is dedicated to apprenticeship work however it is flexible on a case by case basis. There is a team hierarchy however its not a typical manager tells you what to do and you do it. managers are extremely approachable and help get you involved in as much as possible.
My experience has been that apprentices are a priority of Vodafone. My manager provides as much support as she can and if she cannot support points me in the right direction, however I am able to ask any team member or mentor any question and everyone is wiling to help and support. Any concerns are taken seriously no matter how sever they may be, the general attitude is that apprentices are a Vodafone employee and should be support as so.
The support from the training provider is amazing, for instance during each course the trainer may be different but they all remain to have the attitude of working with you not against you this ensures that they can provide everything you need from training material to extra sessions and even practice exams. The attitude is that there is no silly question nor nothing they can help with, the trainers are extremely professional and have intellectual discussion in regards to the training.
The training provided helps me perform better in my job role by giving me a deeper reasoning to why we do testing the way we do. The training also explains how and why we do testing the way we do i.e. a more in-depth look at confidentiality within testing. All what is taught is representable in real world situations such as during my job role I can see what I have learnt being put into practice.
As there is a global pandemic on going during the time of writing an extra curricular activities are more virtual. One such thing that is put in place are group calls that allow us to have a social contact within our company where no "work talk" takes place. likewise most recently there has been an opportunity to game for charity which was to play video games to raise both awareness and money to donate to charity.
Yes
Due to the structure of the program and being part of Vodafone there are endless opportunities and support available to grads apprentices and even if your not looking for an apprenticeship or grad scheme. there is also a method for referring friends and family to specific job roles within Vodafone making it simple and easy to do so. In my opinion there isnt another company that would put such a well structured apprenticeship scheme in place.
My piece of advice would be to be honest, be yourself and make yourself stand out. There is no expectation to comply to typical work attire as Vodafone is diverse. I would stick by my words of be yourself and stand out and be honest this is because Vodafone's wants those who strive for greatness and stand out for the right reasons. Be confident in who you are and what your beliefs are because everyone has a voice at Vodafone.
Details
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Newbury, Berkshire
March 2021