Tech Degree Apprentice Review

My role during this year is to study at university and complete each of my modules to the best standard possible. This involves completing lectures, weekly labs and exercise sheets as well as courseworks when they are due. I am responsible for managing my time to make sure these are done in a timely fashion

I have developed on my coding abilities in various languages including python. This year in particular has pushed me to learn more about cloud computing, in particular the Microsoft Azure platform which I have recently passed the AZ900 course in. My time management has also vastly improved since beginning the degree apprenticeship.

In general I enjoy the programme and the overall experience. It has been great to meet people interested in similar tech work and discuss techniques which I think has improved my overall knowledge. I also enjoyed the team I worked with during placement and thought the culture was very inclusive and worked hard to push everyone to their best.

I think as the first year the programme has been run, the structure has not been as good as it could have been due to it being a learning curve for both the providers aswell as the apprentices. However, I can see the improvement in the structure for those entering the programme after us. Even when things were uncertain, the training provider was always offering support.

The support from the direct team I worked with over placements was very good, and everyone was willing to educate if I was uncertain of anything. The system of career coaches was very useful and definitely made me think of my future as a lot more of a career rather than the apprenticeship as a means to education.

My training provider during the first years of the apprenticeship were very supportive and approachable as you could drop by their offices and could talk to your form tutor about any issues you were experiencing. This year has been slightly different due to Covid and online learning, however the head of school has been very open to listening to suggestions and offering new ways to keep open communication and support.

I feel that my qualification has been very useful in giving me background and general knowledge relevant to the job so that when going onto projects and working with specific software that I didn't have experience in, I could apply that knowledge to quickly learn and adapt to a new technology without needing to be taught the basics

At work there are a few extra curricular activities to get involved. There are different networks for example a Womens network, LGBT network etc that hold socials and meetings. In addition there are sports teams, but these are more common in the London offices. Charity work is also encouraged in the company with many charity events being raised.

Yes

I believe that despite being a large corporate company, the people are friendly and supportive and it is possible to have a good work environment around you. In addition, I believe there is good potential for a career and working upwards within the firm and that they actively support you in that.

I would suggest that they educate themselves on current affairs and news stories relevant to the area they are interested in to provide good discussion material for interviews. In addition, don't be afraid to discuss non work interests, as PwC encourages a personal and social life (as shown through their networks) and would like to see who you are as a rounded person.