Apprentice Software Developer Review

by NatWest

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7.2/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I try and support my team with tickets and try to gain a better understanding of the systems that they are using. The team is mainly backend developing.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have learnt some Java and some other coding language basics but not confident in them yet. I have also learned lots of systems and how they are all intertwined with each other.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the mental challenge and I enjoy constantly learning new skills. It is just a lot to take in and sometimes it can be very confusing.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The programme could be better organised and the courses that we are doing could be more relevant to what the role is. The courses that I have done so far haven't been relevant at all to the job and there are a few things that can be transferred but not all of it is useful. I have found that I have had to do external courses in order to gain a better understanding.

6/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

My employer is supportive and they do understand that I didnt have a tech background and they are very good at giving me time to study and time to further widen my knowledge which makes understanding the job easier.

8/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

At the moment it could be better in terms of communication with my mentor. There have been many occasions when I have needed help or answers but I have had no response. I have learnt that my mentor has 20 extra students to deal with that she should have but it has impacted receiving help when I need it for sure. So there could be improvements on the providers side.

6/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

I guess it will give me some knowledge of the tech and IT industry, but it would be helpful if the courses available were more relevant to the roles that the apprentices go into.

7/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

There are some professional networking events that come up time to time, a few of them have however been on at the same time as a course so I have been unable to attend them so far.

8/10

9a. Would you recommend NatWest to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The opportunities to develop a career are very promising and I have been telling my friends to apply for an apprenticeship with NatWest.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?

Be yourself, be positive and be enthusiastic to learn.