IT Consultant Apprentice Review
at FDM Group
Degree Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Tower Hill, Greater London
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
2.4 /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!
2.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
2.2/5
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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:
3/5
I have worked as a service desk analyst within a large IT consultancy, providing technical support in a client-facing environment. On a day-to-day basis, my role involved managing support tickets, troubleshooting hardware and software issues, and assisting users with access requests and general IT queries.
The work was often fast-paced, requiring strong time management and the ability to prioritise incidents effectively. I regularly communicated with users of varying technical ability, ensuring issues were explained clearly and resolved within agreed service levels. More complex problems were escalated to specialist teams when necessary.
The role has helped develop my problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work under pressure, although at times the workload and processes could be challenging.
The work was often fast-paced, requiring strong time management and the ability to prioritise incidents effectively. I regularly communicated with users of varying technical ability, ensuring issues were explained clearly and resolved within agreed service levels. More complex problems were escalated to specialist teams when necessary.
The role has helped develop my problem-solving skills, adaptability, and ability to work under pressure, although at times the workload and processes could be challenging.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
I did not particularly enjoy the programme overall. While it gave me exposure to a professional working environment, the experience did not fully meet my expectations in terms of development, support, and engagement.
Once placed with a client, it sometimes felt quite isolating, almost as though I was left to navigate things on my own. This did contribute to my career growth, as I had to adapt quickly and take responsibility early on, but there could have been more consistent check-ins, guidance, and support to help me feel connected to the wider programme.
Although there were some learning opportunities, the experience often felt isolating and less supportive than I had hoped.
Once placed with a client, it sometimes felt quite isolating, almost as though I was left to navigate things on my own. This did contribute to my career growth, as I had to adapt quickly and take responsibility early on, but there could have been more consistent check-ins, guidance, and support to help me feel connected to the wider programme.
Although there were some learning opportunities, the experience often felt isolating and less supportive than I had hoped.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
The programme helped me build practical experience in areas such as troubleshooting, communication, and working in a fast-paced IT environment. Being in a client-facing role also improved my ability to deal with real workplace issues and adapt quickly.
However, most of this development came from being placed in a challenging working environment rather than from a structured development plan. While I did gain useful skills, I would have appreciated more focused training, guidance, and opportunities to develop specific technical skills.
I feel the programme gave me valuable exposure, but the skill development side could have been more intentional and better supported.
However, most of this development came from being placed in a challenging working environment rather than from a structured development plan. While I did gain useful skills, I would have appreciated more focused training, guidance, and opportunities to develop specific technical skills.
I feel the programme gave me valuable exposure, but the skill development side could have been more intentional and better supported.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The programme was reasonably structured in some areas, particularly during the earlier stages. The initial four weeks of training when we first joined were useful and well organised, covering areas such as professional skills and TechOps, which helped provide a good foundation before being placed with a client.
However, once placed with a client, the structure became less consistent. The overall experience felt quite detached from the wider programme, with limited ongoing engagement or integration after the initial training period.
While there was a clear structure at the beginning, the programme would benefit from a more consistent approach throughout, particularly in maintaining engagement and a sense of connection after placement.
However, once placed with a client, the structure became less consistent. The overall experience felt quite detached from the wider programme, with limited ongoing engagement or integration after the initial training period.
While there was a clear structure at the beginning, the programme would benefit from a more consistent approach throughout, particularly in maintaining engagement and a sense of connection after placement.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I received some support from my employer, including mentoring sessions, which I did appreciate. We did discuss the direction I wanted to head in professionally, but in practice, these sessions did not feel particularly useful or impactful.
Once placed with a client, most of my time was focused on business-as-usual responsibilities, alongside university commitments. This left limited time or space to act on development discussions, properly upskill, or focus on longer-term career growth towards my own goals.
At times, the experience also felt quite isolating, with limited check-ins or proactive reach-outs. Overall, while some support was available, I feel it could have been more practical, consistent, and better aligned with the reality of balancing client work and university.
Once placed with a client, most of my time was focused on business-as-usual responsibilities, alongside university commitments. This left limited time or space to act on development discussions, properly upskill, or focus on longer-term career growth towards my own goals.
At times, the experience also felt quite isolating, with limited check-ins or proactive reach-outs. Overall, while some support was available, I feel it could have been more practical, consistent, and better aligned with the reality of balancing client work and university.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
The support from the training provider was reasonable in some areas, with resources and guidance available when working towards the qualification. However, there was a noticeable lack of face-to-face learning experiences, which sometimes made it harder to stay engaged and fully understand certain topics.
At times, communication could have been clearer and more consistent, particularly around expectations and support. Although I was able to complete my work independently, I feel that more interactive teaching, clearer guidance, and better communication would have improved the experience.
At times, communication could have been clearer and more consistent, particularly around expectations and support. Although I was able to complete my work independently, I feel that more interactive teaching, clearer guidance, and better communication would have improved the experience.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
The qualification has had limited impact on my ability to perform better in my current role. While the course content itself is valuable, it does not strongly align with the day-to-day responsibilities of my role as a service desk analyst.
As I am on an IT consultant pathway, much of what I learn is not directly applicable in my current position. I feel that being placed into a service desk-focused role has limited my ability to properly apply the knowledge and skills from the qualification in a practical setting.
The course has value in a broader context, but due to the nature of my placement, it has not significantly contributed to improving my performance in my current role.
As I am on an IT consultant pathway, much of what I learn is not directly applicable in my current position. I feel that being placed into a service desk-focused role has limited my ability to properly apply the knowledge and skills from the qualification in a practical setting.
The course has value in a broader context, but due to the nature of my placement, it has not significantly contributed to improving my performance in my current role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
There were no extra-curricular activities or events organised during my time, which was very disappointing. This made the experience feel quite isolating, especially once I was placed with a client and no longer around others on the same programme.
I feel this was a major gap, as social activities, networking events, or opportunities to meet others in similar positions would have helped build morale and make the overall experience more engaging. Coming from sixth form, which is generally a very sociable environment, this was a bit of a culture shock and had a negative impact on my overall morale.
This was one of the areas I was most disappointed with. It felt like very little effort was made to create a community outside of day-to-day work, which made the programme feel more like an individual placement than a shared development experience.
I feel this was a major gap, as social activities, networking events, or opportunities to meet others in similar positions would have helped build morale and make the overall experience more engaging. Coming from sixth form, which is generally a very sociable environment, this was a bit of a culture shock and had a negative impact on my overall morale.
This was one of the areas I was most disappointed with. It felt like very little effort was made to create a community outside of day-to-day work, which made the programme feel more like an individual placement than a shared development experience.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend FDM Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I would only recommend FDM with some caution. It can provide a route into the industry, initial training, and valuable client-facing experience, but it is important to understand that the experience may come with challenges.
In my case, the programme helped me gain practical workplace experience, but it also felt quite demanding and, at times, had a negative impact on my morale. Once placed with a client, the experience felt very independent, with limited wider engagement, development opportunities, or sense of community.
I would recommend it to someone who is prepared to prioritise gaining experience, even if the overall journey may not be as enjoyable or supportive as expected.
In my case, the programme helped me gain practical workplace experience, but it also felt quite demanding and, at times, had a negative impact on my morale. Once placed with a client, the experience felt very independent, with limited wider engagement, development opportunities, or sense of community.
I would recommend it to someone who is prepared to prioritise gaining experience, even if the overall journey may not be as enjoyable or supportive as expected.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to FDM Group?
My advice would be to carefully consider what you want to get out of the programme and whether it aligns with your career goals. It’s important to be prepared for the possibility of being placed in a role that may not fully match your chosen pathway.
Make the most of the initial training period, as this is where you receive the most structured learning. After that, a lot of your development may depend on your placement, so being proactive and taking initiative is key.
Finally, be prepared for a high level of independence and ensure you are comfortable managing your own development alongside work and any academic commitments.
Make the most of the initial training period, as this is where you receive the most structured learning. After that, a lot of your development may depend on your placement, so being proactive and taking initiative is key.
Finally, be prepared for a high level of independence and ensure you are comfortable managing your own development alongside work and any academic commitments.
