Software Engineer Review
at Lloyds Banking Group
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
London
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
2.8 /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!
4/5
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
2.4/5
-
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
I work in an agile way, which means I attend a 15 minute daily stand up where I share my previous day's progress and blockers. I work with colleagues to solve software problems and work with Google Cloud Platform.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I enjoy all of the learning and collaborative working.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
I have learnt a myriad of skills, such as:
Agile ways of working
Knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle
Java
Python
Big Query
Kubernetes
CI/CD Pipelines
Jenkins
DevOps
Springboot
Kafka
Microservices
APIs
Agile ways of working
Knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle
Java
Python
Big Query
Kubernetes
CI/CD Pipelines
Jenkins
DevOps
Springboot
Kafka
Microservices
APIs
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
1/5
I didn't think the programme provided by Firebrand was very good. The learning days at Wyboston were very long with too much information crammed into them. Apart from the 3-day training sessions, which happened on 4 separate ocassions, so 12 days in total, Firebrand didn't provide any training.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
My employer has been fantastic at providing regular mentor meetings, as well as providing additional training sessions to help to get me up to speed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
1/5
Not very much. There were monthly firebrand mentor meetings, but this felt more of a tick box exercise from Firebrand itself and there was no further support or training provided by them. I had to keep giving examples of when I had used maths and English in my day-to-day work, which seemed silly considering I have an English degree and maths qualifications already.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
I feel like everything I have learned that helps me to perform better in my role has all been provided by my employer, not the training provider. Considering the training provider received £18k for each apprentice, they provided very little training and delivered a sub-par 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.)
5/5
There is an array of extra-curricular activities which are constantly being promoted. I have attened many of these and I have found them invaluable.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Lloyds Banking Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
LBG really do have a people-first approach and they have been amazing at helping me to grow and develop my skills.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Lloyds Banking Group?
Do you research on the company and make sure that your values align with the company's. Be prepared to give examples of how you have demonstrated each value. LBG are very much a people company and they are willing to train people up if they feel that the person's attitude fits with the company.
