Software Developer Apprentice Review

by Transport for London

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.5/10

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

I work in a scrum team where I design and develop features using high level programming languages. I also from time-to-time deploy cloud resources. I write code according to SOLID principles. I work with stakeholders outside of the team including development managers and Product Managers.

10/10

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

I have learned C# .NET Azure backend stack to a competent level. I have learned iOS development in Swift to a competent level. I have learned React-TypeScript-Redux-Saga stack to an intermediate level. I have also used UX design app Sketch for making UI mockups. I have worked in a number of unit testing frameworks.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I have had three great placements where I have worked on backend, frontend and mobile. TfL have a lot of time for you if you are passionate and are unafraid of trying new things. This is the best job I have ever had and I absolutely love my job.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

I have had three 6-month placements in different teams and have had a great variety of work. The academic side is handled by the apprenticeship provider. The handling of the portfolio support has been fine. However the training provider's initial coding bootcamp was disappointing and not helpful. However the high marks give are due to TfL.

10/10

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

My employer has been very supportive. My manager has mentored me and helped me to move onto a final placement in a mobile apps team where I hope to specialise as a mobile app developer once I finish my apprenticeship. My employer has been great in providing training resources.

10/10

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

The support in completing the portfolio (AM2) was well-done and the support for planning for the work-based project (AM1) was also good. However the coding bootcamp that Makers provided was disappointing. They taught it in Ruby Sinatra, which is an esoteric web framework that no one uses. The emotional intelligence sessions they put on were incompetent, patronising and offensive. If I was rating the support for AM1 and AM2 I would be giving them higher marks, but they lose marks for their bootcamp.

5/10

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

The qualification is irrelevant to help me perform better in my role. My performance at work is due to my attitude of curiosity and the sum of my experiences. I love my job and also want to try new things, I have a passion for technology. All these things help me perform better in my role, the qualification is irrelevant.

3/10

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.)

I am involved in the Viewpoint champions group that helps to increase engagement from staff to get involved in TfL's processes. I am also a member of a number of Colleague Network Groups.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend Transport for London to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

This is a fantastic place to learn how to be a software developer and is 1000X better than any course that someone can teach you. You are surrounded by supportive people and you will learn a huge amount. TfL will pay you while you learn, where you learn things far more deeply than what any bootcamp can teach you.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Transport for London?

If you are truly passionate about development - and if you are good team-player, then you will thrive here. They place a great store on people with a positive attitude.