Apprentice Software Developer Review

My Role as an Apprentice Software Developer is to gain as much experience on the Industry projects as I can. Depending on the project, I will work within a team (various sizes) to break down and work on the task in hand and produce software. There are also a number of company based mandatory training tasks that all members complete from time to time in order to stay on top of IT knowledge in the work place.

Yes, when I joined the apprenticeship programme I had knowledge of about 2 different programming languages. Although since then I have picked up knowledge of another programming language and more key concepts around the industry such as software methodologies. There are also a number of boot camps that run from time to time to give members the opportunity to learn something new.

I enjoy my apprenticeship programme. There is always plenty of support from the people around you to keep you on track in CGI whether that be on your current project, on the Human Resources team, your managers and also your Training Provider who have frequent meetings to check your progress. This support makes the apprenticeship much more enjoyable as you always have a contact to ask anything if you are stuck.

The Level 4 Software Development Apprenticeship with CGI and Makers Academy is broken down into 6 main parts: 1) Initial 3-4 Month boot camp, with your current cohort, where you learn the basic knowledge of software development and complete various coding challenges. 2) Knowledge Module Exam 3) Vendor Qualification Exam 4) Collecting Evidence for your Portfolio - (Evidencing your experience on projects) 5) Synoptic Project 6) Final Interview. I think this is a well organised structure and there is always plenty of help if you need it for any of these areas.

As mentioned previously support is very good. There is always someone you can turn to if you need help with anything in the apprenticeship. Monthly catch up meetings are also organized should you need to attend if you need help on anything in particular. Managers frequently set up catch up sessions too so you are informed with the latest news within your project area.

Support is very good from the training provider. Every 2 months a catch up is organized to speak with your placement coach. This can be to discuss your current progress on evidence, how you're revising for the exams, how you can be planning your end project and also your managers are invited to this meeting so they can understand what is the best way to support you given the tasks you need to complete for the apprenticeship. Placement coaches are always easy to reach out to on Slack if you have any immediate questions too.

The knowledge in the initial boot camp has proven very useful in most parts of writing software in the work place. The boot camp also teaches you how to think like a software developer so applying this in the project work is useful. Some of the theory I learned on the vendor qualification has also be used to help me plan for my end synoptic project.

Yes, CGI run a number of extra-curricular activity events / competitions to get members involved in different things aside from the main work. They are completely voluntary and you can choose what you want to be involved in. CGI also do visits into local communities and showcase STEM based activities to many different people.

Yes

CGI is a good company to work for. There are a number of opportunities and pathways to grow your career in IT. The people who you work with are very friendly and will always support you when you need it. The company benefits are also very rewarding for example from the salary to the pension plan.

If I would give any advice to someone applying to join CGI I would say to be yourself. When going for any apprenticeship or job its important to be yourself and not put a false representation of you to the employer. This way CGI can better understand you as a person and what you're like as well as knowing the best way to support you if you are offered a place. I would also say to be very patient, as sometimes project work can be difficult to get onto as a new joiner with limited experience due to tight deadlines etc, although this time off projects gives you the opportunity to expand your knowledge on the training resources CGI provide. If you are going to apply to CGI I wish you the best of luck! :)