Cyber Security Apprentice Review

Wide variety of work activities including assisting with supply chain security across nuclear generation, including contacting supply partners and ensuring secure connections, network monitoring across all our UK sites, taking work hours to complete assignments for University, wide range of meetings to ensure collaboration within our team working remotely across multiple sites etc.

Developed a range of pre-existing soft skills including teamwork, communication, perseverance and time management. However, have also gained a lot more technical, specific skills with regards to cyber security itself. These range from analysis, risk management, network monitoring and resolving issues to using new tools to aid in the processes we undertake.

I really enjoy it; the mixture of University weeks and full time work enables me to still join in with Uni life to a certain extent whilst then working with like minded individuals which, in turn, benefits the learning/ assignments undertaken as part of the degree. My team are really accommodating and helpful in all regards.

With regards to my work environment, incredibly well structured; EDF/ my team are very well managed and and flexible. On the other hand, the training provider lacks in communication and the personal tutor/ lectures assigned to our cohort aren't the most receptive individuals. My manager actively supports me and ensures I am using 20% of my work time to focus on uni commitments.

My employer is very supportive. We have weekly catch up meetings to go over work flow as well as how training/ the uni course is going. The team I work in as a whole is very helpful and will guide me through new tools and processes without hesitation, making integration very easy.

Some. Face to face lectures were significantly better than any of the lectures they delivered online and the lecturers often don't listen to the questions asked so will answer what they want to answer before being asked the same question multiple times. Also when it comes to assignments, the instructions/ assignment descriptions are so ambiguous yet they mark so specific.

At the moment,I wouldn't say the qualification links to my job role at all as none of the content has been transferable/ is stuff I already have experience and knowledge in so haven't learnt anything new as of yet. Think the Level 5/6 content will be more applicable, however, at the moment, there is little translatable content.

As I was a new starter during the pandemic, I am unsure of this, however, I know they often do try and do social activities. But, as a University student, I am involved in the football team which I am able to work my hours around in order to attend training etc.

Yes

The company as a whole is very friendly and people will often go out of their way to help others as that is the sort of ethos among employees. Compared to others in similar situations to me, I would say that the company is fairly understanding of the difficulties/ business of its employees lives so will accommodate this.

Have a decent level of understanding about the company/ specifics regarding the role you are applying for as they take pride in what the company does so will reflect well on you if you have shown interest in what the company stands for. The application process was very short and turnaround was quite quick.