Software Developer Review

My role is in Configuration Management and involves dealing with Software Items once they have left Development and preparing and moving them into test. On a daily basis this involves extracting items and deploying them to the testing rigs, registering software items and liaising between Development and Engineering.

I am undertaking an NVQ in order to become more familiar with the programming languages used by the development team and consequently be able to integrate into the team. On the job, I have learned lots of soft skills, organisation and timekeeping methods.

The company culture is very inclusive and aims to expose apprentices to as many different areas (within reason and relevance to their role) as possible during their time here. However, time constraints to Senior Management can often be a hindrance to learning and development as they effectively may not have the time to play organise training. Having said this, apprentices are given then freedom and responsibility to get involved in projects and attend events that interest them to gain experience or to broaden their network.

Progressively more so as the apprenticeship has gone on, as the work I do is more relevant now than it was when I started and my impact is therefore valued more. Fujitsu has an award scheme to recognise effort and work in projects/tasks which is brilliant in making apprentices (and other staff) feel valued.

The induction was very well structured and I was immediately given training in skills and software that I still use today and given a timescale of things I would be learning over the next two years. I've found the mentoring system extremely useful - having learnt a lot from my mentor, I feel this is a beneficial relationship in directing my learning and development within the company. The parallel college training has been far less organised and unclear for the most part, which has been detrimental to my integration within my team.

This has become progressively better over the course of the apprenticeship as it was very unclear at the start. It can often be difficult to communicate with the training provider or receive help with tasks that have been set.

My assignment manager is very supportive and approachable and is always willing to discuss any issues or give me any guidance in any problems I may have. I found the HR team are very efficient and helpful to a new joiner. My mentor is extremely supportive of my personal development.

Averagely so, though if I were to live on my own and pay rent it would definitely be a struggle to budget.

Opportunities outside of my role are greatly encouraged and there are many many charity events, CSR events and roundtables that I can take part in which are on a far broader scale to my role itself.

Yes

This would depend on what the friend was looking for - for project management and non-technical roles, Fujitsu is a great place to take an apprenticeship. With technical roles, skills required are often dependent on college training, which does not meet the standard required for the role and can make it very difficult to reach the aim of the apprenticeship (i.e. gaining experience in a specific role).

To attend as many events as possible at the start of the apprenticeships and get involved with short term tasks/projects outside their role if they have the chance. Also to work to shape the aims and progression of their apprenticeship as much as possible without being entirely dependent on their managers - a mentor can be really beneficial for this.