Software Engineering Apprentice Review

by The AA

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8/10

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

Working within the Front-end engineering team to learn the Angular framework and have now begun to contribute to enhancements. I will soon be rotating to the Back-end java team to work on the APIs that serve the website and app.

8/10

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

I have learnt a lot about the Angular framework and project management. I already had a small amount of front-end knowledge so I have built upon this.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the challenge I get every day to keep learning and improving. Working in London and with a variety of people is helping me to become a more well-rounded person myself.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The plan for my programme was very clear and mostly it is going to plan. It is the first time my organisation is running a degree apprentice program so there have been a few things to iron out. On the most p[art QA have ran the degree well.

8/10

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

My manager is very enthusiastic about having an apprentice but has realised that their other responsibilities have prevented him from having more regular interactions with me. Because of this, I am in the process of moving line manger. Members of the team are always very helpful if I need help.

7/10

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

I get feedback on my draft assignments which is normally very useful. My regular reviews with my digital learning coach are very thorough and his tips have helped me progress towards my end point assessment well.

9/10

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

As I have only been in the role for a short time there haven't been many opportunities for me to use my new learning yet. But I am hoping to do so a lot in the future.

8/10

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 have been 3 quarterly offsites that I have attended so far which have had a range of activities included in them. The organisation's socials haven't recovered yet after covid but there are plans in place to get them started again.

6/10

9a. Would you recommend The AA to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

They are an organisation that provides services to people that help and affect their lives. That means it is always easy to see the purpose of your work and remember the big picture. The welcome has been very friendly and the office in London is a great place to work.

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

To be themselves. The AA is very focused on its people and pushing them to better themselves and be the best that they can be, so to be aspirational and optimistic about the future of themselves and the AA.