Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology, Management Consulting
London
Review Submitted: March 2025
Overall Rating
4.6 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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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
I am in IBM Consulting division in a Maintenance team of a national Mobile App. I work with data, presenting my operational reporting to clients. I also have driven changes in how we handle and triage bugs; unlocked cost savings in their cloud usage; and learnt deeply about the technical architecture.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I have met some fantastic people and every is nice and happy to help. Degree Apprenticeships are so cool as you can get a degree while making a real imapct!
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
In 1 year, I have learnt PM tools such as Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow; used some Azure DevOps for Release Management; Azure Portal for cloud; and more. There are an unlimited amount of areas to get involved with if you are keen, so there are plenty of doors to learn new programming languages or develop new skills. I also built soft skills in Delivery & Release Management, SCRUM Master, stakeholder management and confidence when running meetings.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The IBM scheme is brilliant. There is a whole setup for Apprentices within 'IBM Foundation' where you are supported through your journey with a Foundation Manager and peers who joined alongside you. There are plenty of events and strong Early Professional communities.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
Loads. Our Foundation Managers have our back with getting onto new projects and developing our skills. They sit outside of the org structure so are there to support. Also, the education provider, Northeastern University, has a whole community in IBM led by a Foundation Manager where we are supported through our degree apprentice journey. The community supports us e.g. with meeting our KSBs required for apprenticeship.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
A decent amount. What I love about the training provider (for me, Northeastern Uni but may be different) is that it is completely virtual. You work through course material at your pace and have 2 live seminars per course. It can be hard to juggle work + studying, as the 6 week uni modules overlap by 2 weeks. We have a 'Success Manager' at the uni to support and the uni takes on board feedback. We mostly crack on ourselves though. :)
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
I am only 6 months into the university aspect of my course. So far, it has not aligned too much but I have some modules coming up that will help a lot. My Python programming course was good, and I am much more inclined to continue learning building on this now, and apply to my projects.
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
Loads of communities which you can join. Absolutely loads of events (social, networking and educational events). We do 'Hackathons' with lots of big companies too. Also, volunteering opportunities and 'Giveback'.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
IBM is brilliantly set up for Apprentices. IBM is vibrants with Early Professionals, and learning from the experienced people around you in your project teams. The Apprenticeship schemes have so many benefits and you can really make an impact.
I personally love working in a Consultancy business, as you can work on so many exciting, cutting-edge projects and clients. It is very varied and you can learn a lot of valuable skills.
I personally love working in a Consultancy business, as you can work on so many exciting, cutting-edge projects and clients. It is very varied and you can learn a lot of valuable skills.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
Use the STAR Method in Interviews (this is pretty standard for all companies).
Be enthusiastic and hungry to learn! Present your experiences in a positive way - they appreciate we will not have many straight out of school. Be creative with this.
Tell us why you and why IBM! Do some research into the company and impact.
Be enthusiastic and hungry to learn! Present your experiences in a positive way - they appreciate we will not have many straight out of school. Be creative with this.
Tell us why you and why IBM! Do some research into the company and impact.
