Technology apprentice Review

My current role is technology apprentice and I am in the network, firewall and voice team in fidelity. This involves monitoring the network to ensure it is healthy, configuring connections for new servers, connecting new users to the network, troubleshooting connectivity issues, creating network diagrams and documentation. I am also learning about firewalls and have been helping to implement policies to allow connections as well as fixing issues for server connectivity across the fidelity network.

I feel that I have learnt a vast amount of skills including professional skills, presenting skills and communication skills through our internal training course

I enjoy the team I work in very much and respect the members of my team, I find it challenging and interesting because of the large range of products that we use as well as the challenge of learning new technology. I am very happy to be working in Fidelity because of the culture and far exceeds my expectations.

Fidelity makes apprentices feel as if they are just as important as any other employee despite bringing less skills and experience to the job than the long time employees. the team I work in is always actively getting me involved with tasks for more learning opportunities. My manager shows his appreciation when it is deserved and plays a large role in my development as an apprentice.

The structure of external training is outlined at the very beginning of the apprenticeship during the induction. There is a mentor system in place where apprentices have a member of their team that mentors them, as well as a buddy system where the older apprentices are partnered with a new apprentice so that they can answer any questions and help when needed.

Our training provider has an assessor who visits on a regular basis to catch up and explain coursework that needs to be completed, the assessor is also someone we can speak to if we are having problems that we might not want to talk to our managers about. They are happy to provide guidance and support should you need it.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, there are a number of people I can speak to If I am having problems or issues with the apprenticeship. They have a very active attitude towards supporting apprentices and making sure that we are comfortable and happy while we are working here. I regularly have meetings with HR and a mentor to discuss how my apprenticeship is going which I find very useful.

My current salary is very generous for an apprentice which allow me to easily travel to work while also meeting social and living costs comfortably.

Fidelity offers many charity events to get involved with and apprentices are free to organise meeting up with each other outside of work. There are company events which you can attend but aren't extremely often

Yes

I think they offer a great opportunity to learn about a range of technologies that you are interested in, they value apprentices as much as full time employees and play a large part in developing apprentices to becoming effective and professional employees. They provide invaluable training that would be useful in the future for fidelity and other businesses.

I would tell others to ask as many questions as possible, there is very much to learn here and asking questions helps you to understand the business and what they do. If you work hard and show an interest, there are many opportunities for you to take and many skills you will gain.