Digital apprentice Review
at AJ Bell
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Salford
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.3 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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
Day to day I attend meetings and reply to emails. I also do a lot of designing on Adobe XD software to create interfaces for current projects. I have meetings with a lot of different teams and invividuals such as developers, BAs and users. I take part in refinements and stand ups with my team.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I really do enjoy my programme and have not only developed academically and professionally but personally as well. I enjoy the balence between my university and work life. Being able to bring in work from university into my day to day work has been very effective. Furthermore I have made many friends and connections.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes I have develop my skill set since I have started. I had never used Adobe XD before the apprenticeship and now am able to create designs and prototypes to test with users. I have also developed my communication skills with the number of different people I interact with daily in order to achieve a great user experience.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
I find that a lot of areas I focus on in university can be brought into my workplace and aid my work. I enjoy the week I have at university every 6 weeks abs the breaks in between. The sprint weeks have been effective in allowing me to work on my projects in between.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I have a good relationship with my line manager and people on my team. I am allowed time away from work to do OTJ time and work on university side of things. If my work load gets too much, my line manager will help me and I know I can always go to him
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a lot of support from Manchester metropolitan university. I have a great relationship with my skills coach and my lecturers. I have been able to go to them whenever I am concerned or need support. The university also run writing courses which I have attended to help me develop my writing.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
One of my university projects has recently been presented to my employer and my suggestions have been successful is being taken on by my company. I think my qualification and role go hand in hand together and both aid each other to better my performance and knowledge about User experience
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
At the moment I currently work from home full time and find it hard to get involved in any activities as I’m not in the office. I think COVID has also reduced the number of activities available to participate in which makes it harder to meet new people and feel included.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AJ Bell to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I think it’s a good company to work for and there’s a lot of opportunity to develop your skills and move up the ladder. The work life is flexible and they are a very supportive company. However, I feel the culture is lacking currently due to WFH
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AJ Bell?
Be honest and yourself. You don’t have to have a technical background at all to be successful, you just need to be open to learning new skills. Taking an active interest in the company, it’s goals, products and ethics too will also aid your application for an apprenticeship
