Data analyst Apprentice Review

I am employed with Vodafone under the Networks team. I am part of a sub team that deals with network capacity, design and feasibility. My day to day role involves looking at datasets a lot, and gathering data from different areas, compiling, sorting and formatting this and presenting it back to a team member that needs it.

From the apprenticeship, I have learnt a few great skills, including using dashboards (e.g. powerbi), SQL and theory behind data analytics and how data works. Throughout my time at Vodafone, I have leant and built up on my team work skills and have learnt how to integrate into a wider team with a similar goal. However, the skills I have learnt from college are not transferable to my work and roles day to day, which defeats the purpose of an apprenticeship in my opinion.

I do enjoy my responsibilities in my role. I am involved in some detailed and highly technical aspects of Vodafone, where the things the team does is of high importance. That said, I feel like other apprentices are enjoying their time more as they can transfer their skills straight to work. I have expressed this, as I feel like the networks team do not really require a data analyst type role, and have expressed to explore other areas of Vodafone that integrate dashboards and other data analyst roles but have been told that I would need to reapply internally. That said, I do enjoy the hybrid working and work ethic that Vodafone provides.

The first year was great, I was learning a lot of things and tried to implement these skills into my role (unsuccessfully). My manager was so helpful to both fix this and to try add as much value to the business through me. The programme is organised, however I have not had a mentor (which I would have liked) and the amount of technical issues I have faced with both my college and work have really affected my experience and growth.

I receive a lot of help and advice from my manager. Whenever we speak, [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions], my line manager, has always been really helpful and always tried to find solutions to problems we faced through this apprenticeship. I have bettered my communication and team working skills through things he has taught me, and he has been the closest to a mentor I could get.

They do tell us that they are here to help, but not always. That said, I rarely ask for help, as all the help will be uploaded online on teams, so I feel like they would just refer me back to the files that have been uploaded on teams if I did ask for help. But for my technical issues, including my assignments not uploading on canvas/turnitin, that have affected my grades, I have not had any help for.

Like I have said previously, for me personally, I do not see much correlation or similarities with the skills I am taught at uni/college to work. With others, I do clearly see that they can apply the skills they learn to work, as they are already familiar with the software that we learn at college, so they are at a major advantage in my eyes.

Due to COVID, you can imagine that such events are limited/not encouraged as much as prior COVID 19. That said, I do get a lot of invites and emails to events from Vodafone. That said, they are mainly social gatherings mainly at pubs, and provided my religious beliefs around alcohol I wouldn't be entirely comfortable in those environments. I am yet to see a football tournament, gaming, networking or some other gathering of that type!

Yes

The work-study ethic is great. I would not take my experience with the apprentice programme to be universal, as I think I was unlucky. If I had been put into another team that utilises software and roles that a data analyst would be required greatly for, coupled with seamless tech with no issues, then it would be a great programme for anyone (as I can see from other apprentices)

Think about what you want to do in 3-5 years time. Do you see yourself working primarily at a desk? Can you speak to people and are not afraid to ask questions, regardless of how stupid you think they might be? Are you interested in programming languages and have an interest in creative exploration and tech in general? If all of those are a yes, then the programme would be great. If no, you could try other areas, regardless of company, such as project management.