software developer Review
at NatWest Group
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Edinburgh
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
3.6 /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
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3/5
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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 day to day consists of daily meetings to give updates to the team on how i am achieving the sprint goals. I will either be writing python scripts or setting up pipelines for our code or working on my modules for my apprenticeship. Sometimes might be other meetings through the day that i will need to attend and can be active.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the programme I feel i have the right learning to work ratio as i have time to work on my apprentice stuff but also not be taken away from the daily work i do here at NatWest. I also enjoy socialising with other apprentices as its a good chance to create friendships.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes my python skills have boosted as at the beginning i had no clue how to do anything code related now i can confidently write scripts in python that are a high standard. I also gained a lot of team and communication skills as we work in a effective team we understand these are important.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
Organisation could be better I have had a few classes cancelled the day before they were meant to start this is a big problem as you have put in you will be off on training so may be out of loop with work being assigned to you. Also sometimes hard to get in contact with QA.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
My employer has been great my line managers checks in every 2 weeks to see how i am getting on with the course. Also have the early career team who i can go to with any question or problem however at the start of my course i was left with 0 contact for weeks.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
You have your QA reviewer he meets with you every couple of months to review modules and progress. Sometimes takes a while to respond to emails, texts etc when you could be stuck with something but overall usually happy to help with any issue you may have. Haven't had any face to face interaction due to covid but would like to see more of this.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I feel the modules and classes can be relevant to what i am doing here at the bank but not always so so feel i am doing a lot of work for something that i wont use any time soon. Classes can be boring just going through slide after slide more activity would be good
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
Yes i have been to many social events throughout the year these are a great opportunity to learn and create new networks around the bank. I went to an event with the executive team so had the opportunity to ask important questions and hear their experience of coming to natwest.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NatWest Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
NatWest has such a great working community that i feel proud to be apart of everyone is treated with respect and your voice is heard. I hope to stay with the bank and progress throughout my career feel i have all the necessary help and tools to complete my apprenticeship to the best of my ability.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest Group?
Research is key when applying understand the role you're applying for then dig deep into NatWest's CPCs behaviours which the bank expects. Also be confident and chatty within the interview stage and how you want to positively impact the bank when you join. All this should help you to gain a spot on the apprenticeship course.
