Higher Apprentice - Software Engineer Review

My job title within the company is a software engineer but I am known as a higher apprentice by most of my colleagues. Throughout a typical day I am required to create and amend client applications using java and adobe LiveCycle. I am also involved with creating business rules to check customer information as it moves through our systems. I work on a client site and work within a number of mixed teams. I am one of the few resources on the account who works with adobe LiveCycle. This means that work is always available and I contribute considerably to the client.

I have gained considerable experience in using Adobe LiveCycle, I have attended a number of virtual courses and external courses through QA. Working on a client site has helped me to build my client facing skills and learn the correct behaviour for such an environment.

I have enjoyed the program a great deal, working for Capgemini and being placed on a client site has been a great experience. I work with a number of different teams due to having learned niche skills which provides a number of different experiences. As I have to travel the companies culture is flexible enough that I can come in earlier so that I arrive home at a better time. So far the apprenticeship has meet my expectations and it has been a very enjoyable experience.

I feel that I have been valued greatly by Capgemini. Due to picking up skills which are limited on the account, I work on a number of different feature teams working on a many different tasks and areas of the clients business. Due to this, I have been asked to work overtime by the account lead, the client has asked for me by name and I have been awarded for exemplary work providing emergency fixes to the client.

The induction and training was organised and run extremely well. And overall the program has been incredibly useful but I did have some issues with assessor support but they were eventually solved. Overall the program and it's training has been to a very good level and I will be very happy when I receive my certificates. It would have also been very useful to have some regular study days to complete the program work as working on a very busy account and travelling makes it a bit difficult to complete the work at home.

I did have issues at the beginning of the program with my training providers assessor as he did not turn up very frequently and eventually left the company. Where I am situated is quite a distance from the nearest training providers assessor so it was not easy for them to visit us. However, the problems I had were solved and I had regular assessor visits which helps greatly with completing the program work. The final assessor I have is extremely helpful and friendly.

My manager is very helpful, he is always available to answer my questions and help with problems. My manager keeps me informed on review processes and will always try to find out answers to my questions if he can not answer them himself. Working for Capgemini, I have not been required to contact the HR departments however I regularly use some of their systems and never have any issues. Overall, my manager and Capgemini continue to support me with no issues at all.

For an apprenticeship, the salary that Capgemini pays is one of the best. They also cover my daily travelling costs which is a great help as if they did not then the expenses would take a large amount of my monthly pay. Location wise, I am close enough to still live at home but travelling does add over two hours to my day but isn't to bad.

Due to the location I work many of the companies events tend to be too far away for me to attend however we do have the Christmas party, a number of events run by the Capgemini staff on the account and I have attended company activities run locally for schools. However due to location I still have access to all activities at home and in my local area.

Yes

Capgemini have provided a great experience and a career for me. They have given me great progression opportunities and I hope to continue at this rate far into the future. They have supported me and have met if not exceeded my expectations. I have already had a number of friends apply to the company.

If you are applying for Capgemini and you get to an assessment centre, make sure you prepare yourself enough so you are confident on the day, be yourself and honest. Make sure to demonstrate that you are keen and willing to learn as much as you can. If I had not done the preparation before my assessment centre then I don't think I would have been chosen. The on boarding process could not have been easier for me.