Application Development New Associate Review

Your role depends on the project you are on and available roles are based on demand. You could find yourself on a project where technical skills are required for development roles such as Python or Java. You could find yourself on a project requiring functional skills where you could be a Business Analyst or working in PMO (Project Management Office) and be client facing.

I have developed my technical skills through internal and external training for example, coding where I had no experience in this before I started but I am now more advanced. There are also opportunities to learn new skills, advance your current skills and gain certifications. Working on projects also helps with soft skills including communication and presentation skills.

I enjoy doing the programme to the extent that I can gain a degree in Digital and Technology Solutions though training at university and get experience through projects at my company. The programme enabled me to enter the IT industry with no prior technology industry experience and has provided a good insight into the IT industry especially regarding IT consultancy.

I do not feel that the apprenticeship programme is well organised this year compared to when I first started at the company. Communication is quite poor, for example there were proposed changes that would be made apprentice contracts which were announced suddenly with no prior consultation. There can also be confusion regarding other changes to the apprenticeship programme.

I do not receive much support from my employer. When you are on the bench you are pressured to find a role, most roles do not want apprentices due to the lack of project experience yet you need to get on projects to get experience. I have a career counsellor who I go to for career advice however, I find that I am chasing them, and they are not proactive in helping me.

The University of East London where we attend lectures on most Mondays and sometimes there are modules taught in two-week blocks is ok however, it has not been as good as the first year. One of the modules was poorly taught and the lecturer left half-way through the module. However, our concerns were addressed with the university and the module was adjusted to account for this.

Although I have learnt a lot at university, based on the projects I have been on I have not used all the skills I have learnt through university training. However, it is a good place to start for example I have learnt Java at university and although I have not used Java on a project I understand the concepts of programming languages and have learnt Python and JavaScript through work and have broadened my skills.

There are various events you can get involved in. You can join clubs and societies that hold regular meet ups, or you can go to networking events such as the technology showcases where you can meet people working within the company and find out about their business area and register your interest to find out about opportunities they have.

No

The apprenticeship is not well organised within the company, communication is quite poor and not much help is given to apprentices to help find suitable project roles when they are on the bench, it is still a good opportunity to get a degree in Digital and Technology Solutions within 3 years and graduate without student debt with some work experience though. This would enable you to continue your career at another company if situations do not improve in future.

When applying to Accenture an interest in technology is recommended. Use the Accenture website as a starting point to find out more about the company and the kind of work they do to see if it appeals to you. It also helps if you research the apprentice recruitment process, so you know what to expect if you pass the initial application and help you prepare for the various recruitment stages.