Vendor Alliance Apprentice Review

My role as the Vendor Alliance apprentice consists of many aspects. I am aligned to the Lenovo team for the full duration of my apprenticeship, which provides me an insight into how both Softcat and Lenovo operate as a business. Day-to-day tasks include managing/running focus days, communicating with account managers and working alongside Softcat's Partner Marketing team.

Since leaving education and joining Softcat, I have certainly learnt new skills as well as developing on those that I already had prior to joining the company. For example, I have built upon my organisational skills through co-managing various projects as well as regular working documents. Also, my communication levels have definitely improved since joining the team.

I absolutely love the apprenticeship programme here at Softcat. The opportunities that they provide us is incredible and really treat apprentices as part of the organisation/team. They give us responsibilities and team/individual projects to focus on whilst taking into account our apprenticeship work that we have to complete with Remit.

The apprenticeship programme here at Softcat is extremely well organised. We are aligned a buddy at the beginning of the programme to ensure that we are settling in well to our new role. Softcat also organise a week away for all of the apprentice new starts to provide us a chance to get to know each other, all from different offices as well as completing team building activities.

I have weekly catch-ups with my manager in my team. We use this as a chance to go over the individual targets that I have been set as well as simply discussing how I am getting on in my role as well as with my apprenticeship work. We speak on a daily basis anyway so I certainly receive a lot of support.

In terms of our training provider, Remit, we receive a lot of support. We have monthly workshops with our apprenticeship manager at Remit. We use these to go over key topics surrounding our business admin apprenticeship. We also have regular 1-1 catch-ups to go over current work load and deadlines that we have to complete.

I do believe that our qualification does help me perform in my current role to an extent. However, in terms of how well it relates to my day-to-day role, I feel as though this could be improved slightly. Regardless, it does provide me skills that relate to project management, which does heavily relate to my current role.

Yes 100%! Softcat is well known for its fun culture and they certainly don't disappoint. The induction week away is just one example as to what Softcat is like. We also have many events such as Kick-Off which is where the whole company gets together to celebrate Softcat's end of financial year. Awards are also presented at this event to recognise those who have performed well over the past financial year.

Yes

Softcat has a very welcoming, friendly culture which is nice for anyone starting in a new organisation. Right from the get go, they provide you with many opportunities to meet different people from around the business as well as trusting you with various tasks and activities to complete. There really is something for everyone here!

One of the main pieces of advise I would give someone applying to Softcat, would be to familiarise yourself with what our values and culture are about. This really is the heart of Softcat and is what most employees/customers stand by. Also, just be yourself! Showing Softcat the real you is the most important aspect.