Platform Engineer Degree Apprentice Review
at IBM
Degree Apprenticeship
Software Engineering
London
Review Submitted: April 2026
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
5/5
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Skills Development
4.6/5
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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:
5/5
I work as a Platform Engineer at IBM within the Client Engineering team. On a day‑to‑day basis, my role involves working on a variety of client projects, where I use a broad range of IBM products and technologies to design and deliver technical solutions. Depending on the project, this can include collaborating with different teams, understanding client requirements, and building or configuring platforms that address real‑world business challenges.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
really enjoy my apprenticeship programme, particularly the balance between university study and practical work. It allows me to develop strong theoretical knowledge while also applying what I learn directly in the workplace.
On the university side, where I am studying Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, I am exposed to a wide range of topics. These include both technical and non‑technical aspects of technology, as well as business concepts and data analysis. This variety has helped me build a broader understanding of how technology is applied in real organisational contexts.
Additionally, the programme still offers a genuine university experience, with opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities such as football tournaments, which helps create a good balance between study and work.
On the university side, where I am studying Digital and Technology Solutions Professional, I am exposed to a wide range of topics. These include both technical and non‑technical aspects of technology, as well as business concepts and data analysis. This variety has helped me build a broader understanding of how technology is applied in real organisational contexts.
Additionally, the programme still offers a genuine university experience, with opportunities to take part in extracurricular activities such as football tournaments, which helps create a good balance between study and work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have developed a range of new skills and strengthened existing ones through my apprenticeship. From a technical perspective, I have improved my understanding of the programming constructs, platforms and cloud‑based technologies, as well as learning how to use a variety of IBM tools and products depending on the project I am working on. This has helped me build confidence in applying technical knowledge to real‑world client scenarios.
Alongside technical skills, I have also developed important professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving. Working within Client Engineering has required me to collaborate closely with different stakeholders, understand client requirements, and contribute to designing effective solutions.
In addition, the university aspect of the programme has strengthened my analytical and academic skills, particularly in areas such as data analysis, business understanding, and structured thinking. Overall, the combination of work and study has helped me grow both technically and professionally.
Alongside technical skills, I have also developed important professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem‑solving. Working within Client Engineering has required me to collaborate closely with different stakeholders, understand client requirements, and contribute to designing effective solutions.
In addition, the university aspect of the programme has strengthened my analytical and academic skills, particularly in areas such as data analysis, business understanding, and structured thinking. Overall, the combination of work and study has helped me grow both technically and professionally.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is well organised and clearly structured. I typically work four days a week in my role, with one dedicated university study day, usually on a Friday. This consistent structure makes it easy to balance work and academic commitments.
The university content itself is also well planned and delivered. Learning materials are provided through a mix of recorded lectures, example materials, and guided resources, which allows me to revisit topics when needed. The assignment structure is well thought out, as we complete both formative and summative assignments. The formative assignments allow us to practise key concepts early in the course and receive feedback, which helps us improve and perform more confidently in future summative assessments.
The university content itself is also well planned and delivered. Learning materials are provided through a mix of recorded lectures, example materials, and guided resources, which allows me to revisit topics when needed. The assignment structure is well thought out, as we complete both formative and summative assignments. The formative assignments allow us to practise key concepts early in the course and receive feedback, which helps us improve and perform more confidently in future summative assessments.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive a high level of support from my employer throughout the programme. I have regular meetings with my Foundation Manager, where we review my progress, discuss areas where I am performing well, and identify any areas for development. These check‑ins help ensure I am learning effectively and progressing in line with my goals.
In addition, my Task Manager is very supportive and plays a key role in my day‑to‑day development. They assign meaningful work aligned with my skills and experience and actively monitor my workload to ensure it is manageable alongside my studies. This level of support has helped me feel confident balancing my apprenticeship responsibilities with my role at work.
In addition, my Task Manager is very supportive and plays a key role in my day‑to‑day development. They assign meaningful work aligned with my skills and experience and actively monitor my workload to ensure it is manageable alongside my studies. This level of support has helped me feel confident balancing my apprenticeship responsibilities with my role at work.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive a good level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. I take part in regular tripartite reviews with my University Success Manager, where we discuss my progress at university, review the work I have been completing, and reflect on how I am mapping my Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs). These reviews also help me link my theoretical learning directly to my practical work activities.
In addition to this, the university provides ongoing academic support through lecturers’ office hours, which give me the opportunity to receive one‑to‑one guidance and clarification when needed. There are also additional seminars available that I can attend to further support my learning and deepen my understanding of course content.
In addition to this, the university provides ongoing academic support through lecturers’ office hours, which give me the opportunity to receive one‑to‑one guidance and clarification when needed. There are also additional seminars available that I can attend to further support my learning and deepen my understanding of course content.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification strongly supports my performance in my role. The content delivered through my training provider helps reinforce and contextualise the work I do day to day as a Platform Engineer. The theoretical knowledge I gain at university, particularly around digital technologies, business concepts, and data analysis, enables me to better understand the reasoning behind design decisions and technical approaches used in client projects.
The programme also encourages me to link academic learning to practical workplace tasks, which has helped me apply concepts more effectively when contributing to real client solutions. This has improved my problem‑solving ability and allowed me to approach my work with a more structured and informed mindset.
The programme also encourages me to link academic learning to practical workplace tasks, which has helped me apply concepts more effectively when contributing to real client solutions. This has improved my problem‑solving ability and allowed me to approach my work with a more structured and informed mindset.
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 are a wide range of extracurricular activities available to get involved in at work. Socially, there are regularly organised after‑work socials as well as in‑office events, such as talent shows, pizza and games night which help create a strong sense of community across the workplace.
From a sports perspective, there are several opportunities to stay active and connect with colleagues, including a five‑a‑side apprentice football team that we set up ourselves, as well as tennis and padel clubs. These activities help build relationships outside of day‑to‑day project work.
In addition to social and sporting activities, there are many professional opportunities available, including hackathons both within IBM and in collaboration with clients. These events provide valuable hands‑on experience, encourage innovation, and create strong networking opportunities with colleagues and industry professionals.
From a sports perspective, there are several opportunities to stay active and connect with colleagues, including a five‑a‑side apprentice football team that we set up ourselves, as well as tennis and padel clubs. These activities help build relationships outside of day‑to‑day project work.
In addition to social and sporting activities, there are many professional opportunities available, including hackathons both within IBM and in collaboration with clients. These events provide valuable hands‑on experience, encourage innovation, and create strong networking opportunities with colleagues and industry professionals.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend IBM to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend IBM to a friend because its a company, which provides a supportive and inclusive working environment with strong opportunities for learning and professional development. The combination of meaningful client‑facing work, access to a wide range of technologies, and structured support through mentoring and management makes it a great place to grow, particularly as an apprentice. Additionally, the culture encourages collaboration, innovation, and involvement in both social and professional activities, which helps create a well‑rounded and engaging experience.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to IBM?
My main advice would be to be yourself and show a genuine interest in learning. IBM looks for people who are curious, motivated, and willing to develop, rather than expecting applicants to know everything already.
It’s also important to research IBM beforehand and understand its values, the roles available, and the types of work clients are involved in. Being able to explain why IBM appeals to you and how your interests align with the role can make a strong impression.
Finally, for those applying to apprenticeships or early‑career roles, showing a willingness to balance work and study, take feedback on board, and get involved beyond your core role can really help you stand out. IBM offers many opportunities, so being proactive and open to new experiences makes a big difference.
It’s also important to research IBM beforehand and understand its values, the roles available, and the types of work clients are involved in. Being able to explain why IBM appeals to you and how your interests align with the role can make a strong impression.
Finally, for those applying to apprenticeships or early‑career roles, showing a willingness to balance work and study, take feedback on board, and get involved beyond your core role can really help you stand out. IBM offers many opportunities, so being proactive and open to new experiences makes a big difference.
