DTS software degree apprentice Review

I was placed into one of the testing teams within JLR. We work in Agile, so i get assigned tasks to complete and discuss my progress with my team everyday. I also attend lots of the more corporate meetings about the wider departments within the company. The tasks im assigned are mine to complete. These can vary from coding a new software configuration to liasoning with other teams to solve a problem. I then am in charge of writing up the documentation and requesting more work from the team. They will always offer help if i ask for it.

I have attended 6 weeks of university so far, which comes with many new skills. Weve had modules on maths, programming(python, C++), networks, databases and basics of business. In work i have developed allot from when i started. I am more confident asking for help and networking with people as well as my researching and presenting skills.

As this programe has only been around for a few years there are still quite a few bumps. But the company and university have welcomed our feedback and have made changes to make it better for everyone. My team has been super welcoming and ive made many great friends in the other apprentices. JLR organise apprentice socials that you can attend. There are sport sessions, pub crawls, go-karting amongst others.

It was a little all over the place for the first week but we all settled down. I moved team a few times till i found the right fit for me but this was easy to do. I tend to be in control of what my managers know about the uni. So i need to add all uni dates to the team calendars.

They assigned us 'buddies' from the previous apprentice cohort, i chat to mine weekly about any problems or questions i have. My team are all friendly and ensure i am included and happy within the team. I also have monthly check-ins with my manager. The personal tutor the university gave me is also very helpful. She is super friendly and always offers help or a listening ear.

There are only 7 weeks of university a year so they are SUPER fast paced and intense. The lecturers understand this so are always happy to answer any questions and often hold several support sessions for any coursework and assignments. The greatest support comes from the fellow apprentices, we're all in this together! From questions about the course content to sympathising about the hardships. Its made me and my friends allot closer!

I have seen a few links. As the team i work in is so specialised it would be hard to learn exactly what i need from uni as everyone is in completely different teams. The biggest help has been from the business module, i can now understand whats going on in some of the higher level managerial meetings im invited into.

JLR offers apprentice socials that it runs, they are super easy to join and you get to meet loads of new people. My faveourite has been the 'Winter Ball', we all got to dress up, eat fancy food, and dance. There was even free wine and a chocolate fountain! As we're still uni of Warwick students we can also join all the uni societies. Ive joined one of the dance societies and that given me more student friends. Its nice to have a bit of variety!

Yes

Ive learnt so much and i feel its the perfect place for an appreticeship. Its large enough that i can move teams and see a wide variety of jobs and structured well that you see your works worth and still feel valued. The fact that i see the cars everywhere i go and saying i work for jaguar are all plusses.

Find something your passionate about. Then try link this into one of JLRs projects they have completed. Whether this is transferable skills or a hunger for learning. Make friends with the interviewer, i found a few similarities with mine(we both drank hot squash), this made it much easier to chat to them during the question stage.