Associate Application Developer Review
at Fujitsu
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Belfast
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.5 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
In my day to day role, I assist a team in supporting over 3,500 PC's, printers and card machine for a large UK company. I also support some databases for another contract. This contract also includes support of C# applications and ASP web pages. Some other applications include low code and Visual Basic
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
In the L3 programme, we learned C# and a bit of python. In the L5 course I have learned much more, I have learned API's and R code as well as furthering my knowledge on databases in Sql Server management Studio and Microsoft Access. I also really enjoyed my work based learning as I got to enhance my skills on databases and c#
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
All of the IT skills I have learned are new. I started with no IT experience, just an interest in computing. I have learned UNIX to support a large data warehouse. I have learned SQL from scratch and now support multiple databases across different database platforms. I also learned C# to support applications built using the .NET framework
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The course is very well structures. Most modules have 2 pieces of coursework and an end of semester test. Classes are every Thursday, which your employer will let you out to attend. The hand in for assignments is done online, while the tests are well structures, like the tests in school. You also have the option to sit Microsoft certified exams to further your qualifications
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
My employer, when I first started had given me a lot of time to focus on coursework so I could get some knowledge. After a while I was eased into the daily tasks. As things progressed, I am not one of the core members of my team. I have a career manager who assigns me targets, we meet once a quarter to discuss my next steps. Work also give me a paid day for college which also helps financially
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
My training provider gives me weekly lectures, along with tutorials. The lecture notes/assignment notes are always put on canvas, so we always have a copy available. The lecturers are always available via teams or email to answer any questions we may have. If we are struggling, they are always willing to assist
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The main areas from my qualification that help me are:
Azure fundamentals
Database design
programming
A lot of companies are moving their servers to Azure/AWS, so this qualification has helped me to understand the background processes.
The database design has helped me to further my knowledge on SQL and helps me in supporting one of our contracts. I now train others in SQL
The C# programming has helped me to support the front end of the SQL databases.
Azure fundamentals
Database design
programming
A lot of companies are moving their servers to Azure/AWS, so this qualification has helped me to understand the background processes.
The database design has helped me to further my knowledge on SQL and helps me in supporting one of our contracts. I now train others in SQL
The C# programming has helped me to support the front end of the SQL databases.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
As far as I am aware, there are no teams/events that we are able to join. The one thing I do know we can get involved with is the annual charity selection. Every year, Fujitsu chooses a new charity and does events for said charity. We can get involved with these, such as walks, climbs, sales, waxes etc
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Fujitsu to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Fujitsu gave me my start in IT when I had no IT knowledge, I knew my way around a computer but I didn't know the first thing about programming. I now have a L3 and L5, and I'm working my way to an L6 with no student debt. Why would I not recommend Fujitsu?
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Fujitsu?
Always be eager to learn new things. The IT industry is a vastly diverse place with many bespoke applications. Many companies use legacy applications so their coding practices may be out of date. You need to learn and adapt for this. The more languages you can familiarise yourself with, the better. If you want to start an apprenticeship, look up some coding stuff on youtube to get started
