UX Design Apprentice Review

Digital product designer aligned with a specific area of the business. Day-to-day includes research, user testing, wireframing and prototyping, crits and training. The work is split between brand new projects/products and updating online banking and mobile app journeys. As well as this, we have a lot of DEI and design training.

The company starts from scratch with skills you will need such as how to use microsoft office etc. and upskills you on presenting, researching, note taking, figma/figjam and all the areas you cover in uni. Uni learnings are supplemented by the central apprenticeship team which is helpful.

I'm really enjoying it and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in design or problem-solving. There is a massive support network and a lot of opportunities. Its also possible to travel to the other offices around the UK which is exciting. The work model is hybrid/flexible which is also convenient.

The programme with university covers what we need to but can feel a bit dragged out. Its helpful that my employer supplements this to put our learnings into context of our day-to-day job. The tutors have varied experiences are are generally contactable and happy to provide personalised feedback. Theres lots of supplementary materials on moodle which is great.

There is a wealth of support and resources at my employer as well as dedicated teams who look after the apprentices. We also have a manager and mentor each who can personally help you develop and steer you in the right direction. Everyone in the team is pretty open and contactable which is nice.

There are a number of channels to contact support or our tutors. This is great but sometimes this an feel delayed or not super relevant for the business sector you're in. The support through the employer can be more specific but the tutors/ study skills tutors can help with general degree related things.

The apprenticeship degree will give me the relevant qualifications and structure for learning but the experience within the role is the most invaluable. Doing a degree apprenticeship is a really good idea for those wanting to learn on the job and implement their learnings straight away (hit the ground running).

We have offsites and socials that we organise between us. The team is split across the country so it can be hard to get together but efforts are made. There are lots of clubs and events throughout the year such as painting, running, making terraniums, food events - the work culture feels good.

Yes

Everyone is really happy to have apprentices and willing to support and champion them. We're really empowered to get stuck in and involved with the team. Leadership encourage growing our relationships with the team and also development of skills. Also the salary is really competitive compared to other degree apprenticeships.

Anyone can apply as long as you are eager to learn and have an interest in user-centered design. The team has all different types of backgrounds which gives us a lot of different perspectives. If you know about design, love to problem-solve and working on computers then you will enjoy the role.