Cyber Security Engineer Review
at Lloyds Banking Group
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance
Leeds
Review Submitted: February 2022
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
4.2/5
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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:
4/5
My role involves developing and working on strategic security solutions for my organisation. I will implement and follow change management practices to ensure the proposed changes are delivered in accordance to strict rules and policies. Furthermore, my role includes service management, which means dealing with incidents relating to the solution we manage and develop.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I believe my apprenticeship is very informative, it gives me insight and awareness of key topics such as digital transformation and how other organisations / industries are dealing with these. Furthermore, it allows me to interact with other apprentices from these companies and industries. The programme encourages a mixture of practical and theoretical knowledge which I think otherwise would be hard to obtain.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, in short. My latest apprenticeship has been centred around leadership and digital transformation. Although I work in a non-leadership position, these skills have been crucial for my professional development. For example, leading technology changes, planning strategic roadmaps for the tools my team support, and up skilling my colleagues to reduce any single point of failures.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
My current apprenticeship is delivered over 2 years, in block releases every month. I think this has worked really well and has been delivered seamlessly over the pandemic with minimal disruption caused. The university limit each semester to 2 units which allows for an appropriate work/life balance.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer has a couple different ways of supporting apprentices such as myself.
There is a designated point of contact of someone in each area of my business that I can raise any concerns or issues with.
My employer has a huge apprentice network that people can post questions, get support directly from other apprentices.
There is a designated point of contact of someone in each area of my business that I can raise any concerns or issues with.
My employer has a huge apprentice network that people can post questions, get support directly from other apprentices.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Manchester Metropolitan University are outstanding at providing support. Lectures have always made themselves available if I was struggling. Furthermore, each apprentice has a designated skills coach who can raise issues with both the university or employer and help work through them. Lastly, the university had a designated team to deal with any other issues should the apprentice not choose to raise them via the other methods.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I think my learning from the apprenticeship is helping guide my career path at work. I would like to progress in to a more technical lead role. The knowledge I am gaining from my apprenticeship dovetails nicely with this as I’m able to develop my leadership and strategic thinking skills, using these to tackle problems in my role from a different mindset.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Unfortunately not at the moment. Due to the pandemic my organisation is only just trialling a return back to work ‘hybrid way of working’. However, I’m hopeful over the next year that there will be opportunities for some extra-curricular activities. The pandemic has meant my office has closed and I my new office will be located in the city centre so there hopefully is some opportunities.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Lloyds Banking Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Lloyds Banking Group is an inclusive organisation that has opportunities for every colleague. It puts huge emphasis on ensuring colleagues feel valued and reach their full potential. Furthermore, there is a lot of diverse areas which can open a lot of learning opportunities and career changes so colleagues can continue to develop themselves.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Lloyds Banking Group?
I would definitely recommend applying for Lloyds Banking Group. My tips would include being your full authentic self. In your application make sure to highlight your drive and motivation for applying. Also do not be scared to think outside of the box if you are given the opportunity to showcase your creative abilities.
