Apprentice Software Engineer Review
at CGI
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Bridgend / Pen-y-bont ar Ogwr
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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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:
4/5
Carry out daily checks of the services i'm involved with (checking everything works as it should) and the results are sent via email to the team.
Daily catch up meetings with the team. Updates are given on work progress and things we'll be doing that day.
Carry out coding work on real projects which really helps to improve skills.
Daily catch up meetings with the team. Updates are given on work progress and things we'll be doing that day.
Carry out coding work on real projects which really helps to improve skills.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
Very much enjoy it. The whole team was really welcoming when I joined and all my managers are happy to help with any queries I may have. I found the company dealt with the 'working from home' arrangement very well and this made settling in a lot easier.
Working with other developers on the team is a great way to improve my skills and they're always happy to help.
Working with other developers on the team is a great way to improve my skills and they're always happy to help.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Definitely learnt new skills. I spend a lot of my time coding which helps a lot and I've definitely improved as a developer. Having worked from home due to coronavirus, I've developed my speaking skills a lot as I think it's a lot more difficult having to chat over video calls rather than face to face.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Working from home made this quite difficult but considering the circumstances I think the programme was very well organised. Found no issues from CGI's side, however ALS and the college I attended seemed a bit all over the place at the start but seems to have levelled out now.
Have monthly meetings with my ALS training provider to give updates on my HND work. This is helpful as it's a time where you can discuss issues or ask for help with certain aspects of the course.
Have monthly meetings with my ALS training provider to give updates on my HND work. This is helpful as it's a time where you can discuss issues or ask for help with certain aspects of the course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
A lot of support has been given. I was provided with any equipment I needed to work from home with which was a big help. I have fortnightly meetings with my management team that allows me to get feedback from them on my performance and here I can raise any concerns I may have. They understand that we are apprentices and like to make sure we're happy with our work load and are aware that we are also busy with college work. They're very supportive overall.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have a monthly meeting with my training provider which is a great opportunity to chat to them about the qualifications. They provide guidance on tasks and are happy to answer questions.
I have sent a few emails to them and haven't received a reply but other than that there aren't any concerns.
I have sent a few emails to them and haven't received a reply but other than that there aren't any concerns.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I definitely learn more through the tasks I complete in work which I find helps to make progress on the qualification rather than the other way around.
However I do think the qualification helps to give you a wider array of IT skills which could help you to branch out into something more specialised in the future.
However I do think the qualification helps to give you a wider array of IT skills which could help you to branch out into something more specialised in the future.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Before COVID, my team used to go out for food often and also participate in escape rooms. Unfortunately we haven't been able to do anything like that at the moment.
There is an opportunity at CGI to get involved in a social club scheme where you can join a sports team and network with other people in the company.
There is an opportunity at CGI to get involved in a social club scheme where you can join a sports team and network with other people in the company.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend CGI to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I've found all the teams I've been a part of to be very helpful and welcoming. It's up to you to ask for help and it's important to know that it's ok to do so.
There's a great scheme that allows you to buy into shares of the company which is a nice addition and you can also get free private medical care.
Benefit's aside, the company has invested in you as an apprentice and they hope that you'll become an asset to them one day. As a result they're willing to do as much as they can to help you develop your skills by sending you on a training courses (free of charge) and there's an opportunity to carry out a sponsored degree if that's what you wanted to do.
It's a great opportunity to work at CGI as you'll gain valuable developer experience that you won't get from a normal degree course. I would definitely recommend CGI to a friend.
There's a great scheme that allows you to buy into shares of the company which is a nice addition and you can also get free private medical care.
Benefit's aside, the company has invested in you as an apprentice and they hope that you'll become an asset to them one day. As a result they're willing to do as much as they can to help you develop your skills by sending you on a training courses (free of charge) and there's an opportunity to carry out a sponsored degree if that's what you wanted to do.
It's a great opportunity to work at CGI as you'll gain valuable developer experience that you won't get from a normal degree course. I would definitely recommend CGI to a friend.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to CGI?
1. Ask questions and be proactive with tasks. You'll stand out and impress which is a great thing at the start of your career.
2. Take on any new opportunities that come your way as the experience you'll gain is huge.
3. If you're struggling don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone in your team will be happier if you say you're finding a task difficult and you need help rather than waiting until the end of the week after not saying anything.
4. When applying, the company isn't looking for the finished product. As long as you're a hard worker and passionate about IT, you'll have a good chance at being a successful candidate.
2. Take on any new opportunities that come your way as the experience you'll gain is huge.
3. If you're struggling don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone in your team will be happier if you say you're finding a task difficult and you need help rather than waiting until the end of the week after not saying anything.
4. When applying, the company isn't looking for the finished product. As long as you're a hard worker and passionate about IT, you'll have a good chance at being a successful candidate.
