Microsoft Apprentice Review

Day-to-day, my role can vary between the two teams that I work with in addition to any personal tasks that I have. This can be anything from completing tasks for colleagues or Account Managers that have a wide range of queries as well as communicating with customers and Microsoft when customers are having issues with their agreements.

Having come into this role with no previous knowledge, I have learnt a lot around how, firstly, an office environment works and, secondly, the skills that are required to carry out my job role in the most effective and efficient way possible in order to be an asset to the teams I work with.

I very much enjoy the programme that I am on. This is mostly due to the new people that I have met and how quick and easy it was to settle into the cohort due to how welcoming everyone is. In addition, the ability to get to travel to different parts of the country for work is also a huge benefit personally.

The programme is very well structured with fortnightly group calls, reoccurring 121 catch ups - in order to resolve any outstanding work - as well as quarterly meetings with the whole cohort in different offices around the UK to boost knowledge in certain aspects of the course to help the day-to-day roles that we do with our jobs.

The support revived from my employer is excellent, if ever I need help my team and manager are always happy to help or point me in the direction of those that could be of assistance. This is most prevalent when it comes to finding evidence for parts of the course that need to show proof we have carried out certain actions.

The support from the training provider is very prominent throughout the course. This is down to the reoccurring 121 catch ups in order to resolve any outstanding work that I may have as well as quarterly meetings with the whole cohort to help boost knowledge in certain key aspects of office life.

I feel that my qualification helps a large amount as many of the skills that I have learnt have been used at one point or another during my time in role. In addition, the skills that I have learnt has made me more confident in my day-to-day work as well as with the work required for my course.

There are lots of extra-curricular activities that are available to employees. The most prominent of these are the support groups that are offered which are called Communities. These are groups that anyone can join at any stage of their working career which cover a wide range of topics and values.

Yes

Softcat's biggest draw, in my opinion, is the culture of the business. There is a very strong belief in the work hard, play hard attitude to work. If employees put the work in then the rewards and events that are offered. In addition, the overall feel of the office is that everyone is working towards the same goals, no matter where in the hierarchy people are

One piece of advice I would give is that people that are applying should just be themselves. Working life is not all about what grades people get at school but about how people fit into a team, not just in a professional manner but also on a personal/social level