Lead Software Engineer Review

by Lloyds Banking Group

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

4.6/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

On a daily basis: Managing a team of software developers, managing and agreeing delivery budgets/targets, training/coaching others, incident management, code reviews, ensuring standards are adhered to. Additionally: Investigating and investing in new technology, and established consistent professional good practice across multiple development teams.

6/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I'm a self-taught software engineer, having structured learning has complemented my existing knowledge by filling in some gaps.

5/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

It's enjoyable, otherwise I wouldn't do it. There are times when the workload has been daunting, especially having several assignments and an exam just after New Year - this resulted in a minimal Christmas break.

6/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

The lectures and written assignments to validate the learning are very well structured. The professional portfolio was presented in a vague, hard to understand manner that has taken a long time to comprehend fully.

4/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

Little other than a 20% time allowance. There is little to now understanding evident of what the degree entails amongst our senior leadership team.

4/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

Monthly hour long phone calls with my "skills coach".

3/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

It has little impact currently, it may be useful for future promotion prospects.

4/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

Yes for all of those. I have a young family though so don't often have the opportunity. Since the lock-down for Covid-19 these activities have stopped anyway.

5/10

9a. Would you recommend Lloyds Banking Group to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I wouldn't do a blanket recommendation for the whole organisation, we are split into different strategic business units and the working culture can vary wildly. Where I work the managers and colleagues are all good natured and genuinely want to make a positive difference to the workplace. The pay is industry average for the role.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Lloyds Banking Group?

Learn about the company purpose and values and think about how you can contribute on an individual level. Also learn about what the part of the bank you apply to does, and how that benefits customer's lives. The interviews are competency based so revise the STAR technique (situation, task, action, result).