Apprentice SOC Analyst - Apprentice Automation Developer Review
at FDM Group
Degree Apprenticeship
Cyber Security, Data Analysis, Front-end Development, Information Technology
Leeds
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
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
During my apprenticeships at FDM Group, I gained hands‑on experience across cybersecurity and automation in a large enterprise environment. As a SOC Analyst Apprentice, I supported day‑to‑day security operations by monitoring and investigating alerts, triaging phishing emails, and helping manage vulnerabilities at scale using industry tools such as SentinelOne, Darktrace, Defender, Tenable, and Cofense. I worked closely with technical and non‑technical teams, contributed to compliance activities like ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials Plus, and helped raise security awareness across the business.
During my time as an apprentice Automation Developer at FDM Group, I designed and delivered automation solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform to improve efficiency and data accuracy across the business. I worked on projects both independently and as part of a team, owning the full lifecycle from requirements gathering and design through to build, testing, and deployment.
I developed automations triggered by forms, schedules, emails, file uploads, and SharePoint changes, and worked with data from sources including Dataverse, Excel, Active Directory, Salesforce, SuccessFactors, and Azure. I regularly collaborated with stakeholders across multiple departments and global regions, working in Agile environments to scale and improve solutions while ensuring they met business and compliance requirements.
During my time as an apprentice Automation Developer at FDM Group, I designed and delivered automation solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform to improve efficiency and data accuracy across the business. I worked on projects both independently and as part of a team, owning the full lifecycle from requirements gathering and design through to build, testing, and deployment.
I developed automations triggered by forms, schedules, emails, file uploads, and SharePoint changes, and worked with data from sources including Dataverse, Excel, Active Directory, Salesforce, SuccessFactors, and Azure. I regularly collaborated with stakeholders across multiple departments and global regions, working in Agile environments to scale and improve solutions while ensuring they met business and compliance requirements.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I genuinely enjoyed the programme, particularly the strong focus on professional development and the opportunity to grow in confidence and maturity within a real enterprise environment. Through my automation role, I was trusted with ownership of projects, stakeholder engagement, and delivering solutions that had real business impact. This responsibility pushed me to think more critically, communicate more clearly, and take accountability for both my technical decisions and the outcomes they produced.
Working in Agile environments across multiple departments helped me develop a more mature, professional mindset, balancing technical delivery with business needs and deadlines. The programme gave me the space to learn from challenges, improve how I approach problems, and steadily transition from a learner into a reliable professional who can work independently, collaborate effectively, and contribute meaningful value to the organisation.
Working in Agile environments across multiple departments helped me develop a more mature, professional mindset, balancing technical delivery with business needs and deadlines. The programme gave me the space to learn from challenges, improve how I approach problems, and steadily transition from a learner into a reliable professional who can work independently, collaborate effectively, and contribute meaningful value to the organisation.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Technical Skills
Cybersecurity & SOC Operations
Security alert monitoring and investigation
Threat hunting and endpoint security analysis
Vulnerability management and remediation tracking
Phishing detection, classification, and triage
Incident response and escalation handling
Use of security platforms including SentinelOne, Darktrace, Defender, Tenable, and Cofense
Supporting compliance activities (ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus)
Security awareness and risk communication
Automation & Development
Microsoft Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps, MS Forms)
End‑to‑end automation lifecycle (design, build, test, deploy)
Trigger‑based automation (scheduled runs, form submissions, email activity, SharePoint changes, file uploads)
Data integration and manipulation
Working with Dataverse, Excel, SharePoint, Active Directory, Salesforce, SuccessFactors, and Azure
Process optimisation and workflow improvement
Technical review of automation solutions
Agile development and sprint delivery
Systems, Data & Tools
Microsoft 365 and SharePoint
Excel data management and automated trackers
Identity and directory data handling (Active Directory integration)
Secure handling of business and user data
Documentation and evidence gathering for audits and compliance
Professional & Soft Skills
Communication & Collaboration
Stakeholder engagement across multiple departments
Translating technical concepts for non‑technical audiences
Cross‑functional collaboration
Global collaboration across EMEA, NA, and APAC regions
Delivery & Ownership
Requirements gathering and analysis
Project ownership and accountability
Prioritisation and multitasking
Working independently and as part of a team
Meeting deadlines in Agile environments
Analytical & Personal Development
Analytical thinking and problem solving
Attention to detail
Risk assessment and impact awareness
Professional maturity and decision‑making
Confidence working in enterprise environments
Ethical responsibility and security‑focused mindset
Cybersecurity & SOC Operations
Security alert monitoring and investigation
Threat hunting and endpoint security analysis
Vulnerability management and remediation tracking
Phishing detection, classification, and triage
Incident response and escalation handling
Use of security platforms including SentinelOne, Darktrace, Defender, Tenable, and Cofense
Supporting compliance activities (ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials Plus)
Security awareness and risk communication
Automation & Development
Microsoft Power Platform (Power Automate, Power Apps, MS Forms)
End‑to‑end automation lifecycle (design, build, test, deploy)
Trigger‑based automation (scheduled runs, form submissions, email activity, SharePoint changes, file uploads)
Data integration and manipulation
Working with Dataverse, Excel, SharePoint, Active Directory, Salesforce, SuccessFactors, and Azure
Process optimisation and workflow improvement
Technical review of automation solutions
Agile development and sprint delivery
Systems, Data & Tools
Microsoft 365 and SharePoint
Excel data management and automated trackers
Identity and directory data handling (Active Directory integration)
Secure handling of business and user data
Documentation and evidence gathering for audits and compliance
Professional & Soft Skills
Communication & Collaboration
Stakeholder engagement across multiple departments
Translating technical concepts for non‑technical audiences
Cross‑functional collaboration
Global collaboration across EMEA, NA, and APAC regions
Delivery & Ownership
Requirements gathering and analysis
Project ownership and accountability
Prioritisation and multitasking
Working independently and as part of a team
Meeting deadlines in Agile environments
Analytical & Personal Development
Analytical thinking and problem solving
Attention to detail
Risk assessment and impact awareness
Professional maturity and decision‑making
Confidence working in enterprise environments
Ethical responsibility and security‑focused mindset
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall, the programme was well structured and organised, particularly once it was underway. Initially, the university promoted a wide range of degree specialisations; however, after joining the course, the available options were more limited than expected. While this was slightly disappointing at the start, the programme itself was delivered clearly with defined expectations and milestones.
In addition, FDM provided strong organisational support alongside the academic structure, particularly through significant financial assistance with accommodation and travel expenses. This support helped remove practical barriers and allowed me to focus on my studies and professional responsibilities. As a result, despite the early limitations around specialisation choices, the programme remained well run overall and supported a positive learning experience.
In addition, FDM provided strong organisational support alongside the academic structure, particularly through significant financial assistance with accommodation and travel expenses. This support helped remove practical barriers and allowed me to focus on my studies and professional responsibilities. As a result, despite the early limitations around specialisation choices, the programme remained well run overall and supported a positive learning experience.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a high level of support from my employer throughout the programme. FDM provided significant financial assistance, particularly through support with accommodation and travel, which made a substantial difference in allowing me to focus on both my academic studies and professional responsibilities without unnecessary financial pressure.
In addition to this, the programme offered access to relevant certifications and structured learning opportunities that supported my technical and professional development. The mentor programme was also a key source of support, providing guidance, regular check‑ins, and advice on both career progression and workplace expectations, which helped me grow in confidence and maturity.
The level of support was strong and well rounded, combining financial, professional, and personal development resources. While there is always some room for improvement, the support provided played a major role in ensuring a positive and successful experience on the programme.
In addition to this, the programme offered access to relevant certifications and structured learning opportunities that supported my technical and professional development. The mentor programme was also a key source of support, providing guidance, regular check‑ins, and advice on both career progression and workplace expectations, which helped me grow in confidence and maturity.
The level of support was strong and well rounded, combining financial, professional, and personal development resources. While there is always some room for improvement, the support provided played a major role in ensuring a positive and successful experience on the programme.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I received good support from FDM while working towards my qualifications. There was clear guidance on academic requirements, regular check‑ins, and structured milestones that helped keep progress on track throughout the programme.
Financial support also played an important role, with expenses and travel being covered where required, which reduced financial pressure and allowed me to focus fully on learning and development. In addition, certification vouchers were provided, encouraging further professional development and allowing me to gain industry‑relevant certifications alongside my academic qualification.
Financial support also played an important role, with expenses and travel being covered where required, which reduced financial pressure and allowed me to focus fully on learning and development. In addition, certification vouchers were provided, encouraging further professional development and allowing me to gain industry‑relevant certifications alongside my academic qualification.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification delivered by Sheffield Hallam University supported my performance in my role by strengthening the theoretical understanding behind the practical work I was carrying out day to day. The training helped fill in knowledge gaps around concepts, frameworks, and best practices that I was already applying in a real working environment, allowing me to better understand why certain approaches were used, not just how to carry them out.
This combination of academic learning and hands‑on experience made the content especially valuable, as I was able to directly relate coursework to my responsibilities in automation, security, and IT operations. It improved my confidence, decision‑making, and ability to approach tasks more critically and professionally.
This combination of academic learning and hands‑on experience made the content especially valuable, as I was able to directly relate coursework to my responsibilities in automation, security, and IT operations. It improved my confidence, decision‑making, and ability to approach tasks more critically and professionally.
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
There are plenty of extra‑curricular and social activities available at work. The office regularly hosts informal social events, and there are activities such as pool and darts that make it easy to socialise with colleagues during breaks or after work. This helps create a relaxed and welcoming office environment and encourages strong team relationships.
In addition to this, there are opportunities to network with colleagues from other offices, which has been valuable for building professional connections beyond my immediate team and gaining wider exposure to the business. These interactions helped strengthen communication skills and supported professional networking in a more informal setting.
In addition to this, there are opportunities to network with colleagues from other offices, which has been valuable for building professional connections beyond my immediate team and gaining wider exposure to the business. These interactions helped strengthen communication skills and supported professional networking in a more informal setting.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend FDM Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would recommend FDM Group because the apprenticeship route offers the best of both worlds compared to only working or only completing a degree. Being able to gain real, hands‑on industry experience while studying alongside it meant I could immediately apply what I was learning, making both the work and the qualification more meaningful.
The programme supported both professional and personal development, helping me grow in confidence, maturity, and technical ability in a real enterprise environment. Compared to a traditional degree alone, the apprenticeship provided practical experience, financial support, and strong career exposure, which put me in a much stronger position long‑term.
The programme supported both professional and personal development, helping me grow in confidence, maturity, and technical ability in a real enterprise environment. Compared to a traditional degree alone, the apprenticeship provided practical experience, financial support, and strong career exposure, which put me in a much stronger position long‑term.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to FDM Group?
My main advice would be to be genuinely interested in technology and open to learning. You do not need to know everything at the start, but having the right attitude makes a big difference. Being curious, asking questions, and taking ownership of your own development will help you get the most out of the programme.
The apprenticeship involves learning on the job alongside formal training, so being adaptable and willing to step outside your comfort zone is important. If you are motivated, proactive, and open to continuous improvement, the experience can be extremely rewarding both professionally and personally.
The apprenticeship involves learning on the job alongside formal training, so being adaptable and willing to step outside your comfort zone is important. If you are motivated, proactive, and open to continuous improvement, the experience can be extremely rewarding both professionally and personally.
