Apprentice Developer Review
at Barclays
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Knutsford
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
4.8 /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
4.6/5
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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 role I am assigned to projects, I can work on these projects in the range of 1 week - 6 months or even longer.
These projects can vary, but have included development and amendment of code, testing and automation of processes.
During university term time, I get a day release to attend university lectures and workshops
These projects can vary, but have included development and amendment of code, testing and automation of processes.
During university term time, I get a day release to attend university lectures and workshops
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really enjoy it .The units at University are interesting, work is enjoyable and varied and the people that I work with are great!
It is rare that any given days are the same, work is varied and interesting. University is a break in the week when you do something different from the norm.
It is rare that any given days are the same, work is varied and interesting. University is a break in the week when you do something different from the norm.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have learnt a range of skills relevent to coding and software development, these include language specific skills as well as general skills such as effective communication and documentation.
Developing other skills is easy as well, all apprentices get both a Pluralsight and LinkedIn learning liscence. Which can be used on any of the training available.
I have also had the opportunity to become a mentor, which has helped me both with leadership and communication.
Developing other skills is easy as well, all apprentices get both a Pluralsight and LinkedIn learning liscence. Which can be used on any of the training available.
I have also had the opportunity to become a mentor, which has helped me both with leadership and communication.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
1st and 2nd year are really well organised and structured, 3rd and 4th year seem to be less well organised due to confedentiality with work based projects, but I can understand why they are cautious about the release of information.
As more years progress through the apprenticeship I expect that the organisation of the final 2 years will improve.
As more years progress through the apprenticeship I expect that the organisation of the final 2 years will improve.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There's a lot of support available. Not just for work or university related things, but also for my personal wellbeing.
For work and university, I can ask anybody on my team and if they don't know the answer then they will direct me to somebody who does.
Each apprentice is also assigned a talent coach, they are the go-to person if you have any concerns or issues.
For work and university, I can ask anybody on my team and if they don't know the answer then they will direct me to somebody who does.
Each apprentice is also assigned a talent coach, they are the go-to person if you have any concerns or issues.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
University is 1 day a week, but there is a huge amount of support available. Additional sessions are available to attend within working hours, lecturers will always respond to any concerns or queries quickly and you have a skills coach assigned to you to ensure that you are meeting the requirements of the programme and to help support you to meet them if you are not.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
My qualification is extremely relevant to my job role. I have been able to take things I have learnt at work and use them on assignments, and use things learnt in assignments, lectures and workshops for work.
I can also ask anybody at work or university about concepts covered in the qualification and help to develop my understanding.
I can also ask anybody at work or university about concepts covered in the qualification and help to develop my understanding.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are a range of different extra-curricular activities to get involved in, we have multiple different sports teams, groups and clubs for things such as gaming and a range of different professional networking events and opportunities.
This has continued in the pandemic, less so with the sports teams due to social distancing requirements but there have been countless more opportunites for the latter types of events to get involved in.
This has continued in the pandemic, less so with the sports teams due to social distancing requirements but there have been countless more opportunites for the latter types of events to get involved in.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Barclays to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Barclays values are very important to everybody that works here. Because of that it is very easy to feel comfortable and connect with people, everybody is open and honest and the environment you work in is fantastic. Everybody is not only invested in their own success, but also the success of their colleagues.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Barclays?
Sometimes updates for the application process can be a bit slow, don't worry about it. With Barclays being so big, it's understandable that it can take a while. If you are waiting for a call or email to let you know you have got the job, then take the time to relax and know that you did as much as you could. There is no point in wasting energy worrying why it may be taking a while to hear back.
