Software Engineer Apprentice Review

A software engineer apprentice in a dev/test role within an Agile Scrum team. The team are currently working on a government client project. Day to day activities include: planned agile ceremonies to update other team members on work activities, shadowing team members to learn how to complete tasks, and picking up & progressing user stories through distinct stages until completion. Also, updating apprentice and work logs daily so that I can refer to work I have completed and new skills I have learned.

Upon joining Accenture as an apprentice, we completed a 6-8-week boot camp in which we practiced multiple coding languages, took part in soft skill workshops, and got the opportunity to network with Accenture management. Networking allowed us to secure a role on a client project for when boot camp was complete. As I secured a role prior to completing boot camp I could start on the project after 6 weeks, whereas other apprentices completed 8 weeks of training before going onto a role or “the bench”. All apprentices were given a Plural-sight account that allows us to up-skill through online tutorials, useful for apprentices that are unassigned. Since joining Accenture, I have also completed internal and external training courses funded by the company, the training included a QA Angular course and Accenture Test Automation Academy. I have learned and further developed a range of skills; however, I would have liked to learn more within my role.

Joining Accenture has been a positive experience. The apprentice boot camp was enjoyable as it allowed the 2017 apprentices to establish a bond with and learn from one another. Since joining a team 6 months ago I feel as though I haven’t achieved as much as I would have liked to within my role. When I first joined the team, they weren’t aware of an apprentice joining and had tight deadlines to work to, therefore they couldn’t spare much time to sit and go through the project with me for the first few months. Since then I have slowly been learning, but still don’t feel like I have completed anything significant within the team. I often find myself with little or nothing to do and end up filling my time completing online training or college work which can feel degrading and as though my potential is being wasted. With that being said, the overall apprenticeship and its benefits have reached my expectations and I enjoy being an apprentice within the company.

I feel extremely valued by Accenture. After being nominated for Apprentice of the Year, and receiving recognition points from my line manager and apprentice mentors it has improved my mental attitude at work. I also know that I am valued for my volunteering efforts within the company, taking every opportunity to promote the apprenticeship scheme and attend girls in STEM events. Externally, I am valued in our education. Demonstrated through being chosen to be class representative for our day release at Newcastle college. I feel as though I do not offer value to my team, however I look forward to changing this with the help of team members.

The induction to working for Accenture was very well organised, including the on-boarding process as well as the initial boot camp training. On our first day we received all our login details and work laptops. As well as learning all the work responsibilities we have as new employees. This was followed by coding, soft skill, and networking workshops for the next 6-8 weeks. All training felt essential and as though it fit the time space well. The qualification we are studying had a delayed start due to legal obstacles. This seems to have had a knock-on effect on the course as it seems unorganised despite having a delayed start and therefore more time to prepare the course. Since completing boot camp, we do not have as much contact with our apprentice mentors. Although, Stella makes a conscious effort to host apprentice drop in sessions every 2 weeks which allows apprentices to go and speak to her about any problems we may currently be facing. It appears there is a lack of structure when it comes to apprentices integrating into preexisting teams. It can be difficult for an apprentice to find their place in a team, in some cases apprentices have felt lost when requesting tasks to do within the team as they do not know where the team want them to fit into their workload. It may be beneficial for a structure guide to be given to teams prior to apprentices joining, so that teams have an idea of what has worked well in the past.

Newcastle College offer great support for our course. Tutors are always willing to help us as students and make sure that everyone has a full understanding before moving onto the next criteria. In some modules the learning pace seems too slow for some students but we understand that everyone has various levels of prior knowledge therefore some students have already completed similar modules and for some students the information is brand new. Our course lead visits the Accenture office at least once a week to allow students to go to him with any concerns or problems they have with the course. John offers excellent support in and out of college and is always just an email away.

My line manager ensures she is always supporting me, she organises regular meetings to discuss my progress and career path. Due to this great support I also chose her to be my career counsellor. Accenture make a conscious effort to make sure all their employees feel supported when going through challenging times. Training is offered to all employees to become a mental health ally, which means they know what to do if another employee comes to them when they are battling mental health issues. I know if I ever was feeling down there are helplines and employees I could talk to. As previously mentioned, Stella our apprentice mentor offers great support. She’s always going above and beyond for us to ensure we know we have someone to speak to about any issue we may be facing. Overall, I feel fully supported in my career.

First year salary meets my general living costs easily. However, this may not be the case with other apprentices as I currently live at home with parents and have my own car. Therefore, I have very low travel and accommodation costs which leaves money spare for both social and daily costs as well as essential bill payments.

Accenture and Cobalt Business Park offer plenty of opportunities outside of work. Accenture offer all employees the chance to use up to 3 work days for volunteering, this can be something that has been organised by the business or something that has been organised independently with a charity. There are plenty of business organised events such as Girls in STEM days, apprenticeship promoting days, career fayres etc. Employees have also organised out of work events such as 5 aside football teams for a chance to network with employees from different departments and to take up a hobby. Cobalt business park also has their own sport teams, for example they have their own women’s netball team and men’s rugby team.

Yes

I would recommend Accenture to a friend because it has a lot of benefits included in the apprenticeship scheme. The chance to earn a degree without getting all the debt that goes with it is an amazing opportunity. Accenture also give their employees other benefits such as free healthcare, work laptops, and gym subsidy. There's also a gym that's free to use on the Cobalt site.

The application process to join Accenture includes: online CV submission, a digital interview, and an assessment centre. The assessment centre included a group exercise, one on one interview and talking through a 5 minute presentation. I would have liked to been told that the digital interview was the scariest part of the process and that the 5 minute presentation is only in front of one person rather than the full group.