Cyber Security Apprentice Review

The role is an apprenticeship in cyber security, moving across placements in the various teams that encompass a fully operational cyber security team. These include Security Operations, Forensics, Incident Management, Vulnerability Management and more. My day to day work depends on the team I am with, so every two months I tend to get a shake up and learn new skills.

I have learned a heap of new skills, in both areas I expected as well as areas I did not. I have developed a better understanding of IT functions and networking as a general benefit from working in the sector, but have become very aware of the specialisms and topics especially within the energy sector.

Like any job, some days are more rewarding and exciting than others, but I still enjoy the job. The places this apprenticeship will get me will be worth every difficult day of learning or tackling technical issues.

The programme goes ahead without disruption, there will always be a planning phase of any programme, especially to incorporate changes. But even more understandably with COVID changing the way things are done, I feel that my course has been on track and not disrupted so far throughout. My employers have so far done a good job.

My employers take employee support very seriously, not just for the trainees, but for all staff members. We have regular catch ups with our appointed managers and all of my placement teams have supported me through the tasks I have had to complete.

My training provider has provided me with the support needed to get through what has been set to me. I have a good tutor who makes regular contact between sessions, and a co-ordinator who regularly catches up to discuss my progress.

My qualification is a general cyber security one that develops my skills in a broad sense, the training and experiences I have at work build up from that foundation, as do most apprentices in businesses that work in specific industries.

There are regular workplace volunteering opportunities, business networking events and outreach programmes to education facilities.

Yes

The quality of training, the pay, the company priorities and benefits available to all staff. There will always be opportunities to develop and climb up the ladder at work there.

When applying for an apprenticeship here, be ready for a tough application process. It has many rounds and you will be competing against lots of other applicants, practice your conversation skills about your life experiences and what you can offer. If you are applying for the cyber security role, it is best to have prior understanding about IT and networking to really benefit from the training.