Cyber Security Engineer Review

My role involves developing and working on strategic security solutions for my organisation. I will implement and follow change management practices to ensure the proposed changes are delivered in accordance to strict rules and policies. Furthermore, my role includes service management, which means dealing with incidents relating to the solution we manage and develop.

Yes, in short. My latest apprenticeship has been centred around leadership and digital transformation. Although I work in a non-leadership position, these skills have been crucial for my professional development. For example, leading technology changes, planning strategic roadmaps for the tools my team support, and up skilling my colleagues to reduce any single point of failures.

I believe my apprenticeship is very informative, it gives me insight and awareness of key topics such as digital transformation and how other organisations / industries are dealing with these. Furthermore, it allows me to interact with other apprentices from these companies and industries. The programme encourages a mixture of practical and theoretical knowledge which I think otherwise would be hard to obtain.

My current apprenticeship is delivered over 2 years, in block releases every month. I think this has worked really well and has been delivered seamlessly over the pandemic with minimal disruption caused. The university limit each semester to 2 units which allows for an appropriate work/life balance.

My employer has a couple different ways of supporting apprentices such as myself. There is a designated point of contact of someone in each area of my business that I can raise any concerns or issues with. My employer has a huge apprentice network that people can post questions, get support directly from other apprentices.

Manchester Metropolitan University are outstanding at providing support. Lectures have always made themselves available if I was struggling. Furthermore, each apprentice has a designated skills coach who can raise issues with both the university or employer and help work through them. Lastly, the university had a designated team to deal with any other issues should the apprentice not choose to raise them via the other methods.

I think my learning from the apprenticeship is helping guide my career path at work. I would like to progress in to a more technical lead role. The knowledge I am gaining from my apprenticeship dovetails nicely with this as I’m able to develop my leadership and strategic thinking skills, using these to tackle problems in my role from a different mindset.

Unfortunately not at the moment. Due to the pandemic my organisation is only just trialling a return back to work ‘hybrid way of working’. However, I’m hopeful over the next year that there will be opportunities for some extra-curricular activities. The pandemic has meant my office has closed and I my new office will be located in the city centre so there hopefully is some opportunities.

Yes

Lloyds Banking Group is an inclusive organisation that has opportunities for every colleague. It puts huge emphasis on ensuring colleagues feel valued and reach their full potential. Furthermore, there is a lot of diverse areas which can open a lot of learning opportunities and career changes so colleagues can continue to develop themselves.

I would definitely recommend applying for Lloyds Banking Group. My tips would include being your full authentic self. In your application make sure to highlight your drive and motivation for applying. Also do not be scared to think outside of the box if you are given the opportunity to showcase your creative abilities.