Trainee Software Engineer Review

Standard software engineering role as part of an agile development team (completing tasks, providing updates at standup meetings, participating in sprint ceremonies)

Started well but the person in charge of IS apprentices left the company a few months in. After this, we lost some structure around placements, training opportunities and progression. It was very much up to individual line managers/teams rather than being a centralised program. There was also a lack of transparency/a plan about what would happen after our apprenticeships finished.

I can access support whenever I need it and am given ample time to complete my university assignments.

Lecturers and module leaders tend to be very approachable and accessible. Skills coaches are very helpful and actively help when needed.

As a software engineer- very little. First year I "learnt" basic syntax that I already knew (and needed to know to get the job in the first place). Second and Third years were more complex practices but using a language not used in my role at work. I find a lot of the time you learn more at work than at uni when it comes to your specific role.
For other skills important to the apprenticeship, the training provider is useful. Holistic professional skills like project management are taught at uni but are not something I normally do in my role. I have found these useful for completing solo workplace projects.

Yes

Although it can be frustrating at times to deal with public-sector red tape and organisational hierarchy when working in IT, TfGM is a good place to work with excellent benefits and wonderful people.