Rating

7.9/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • Working in the IT Department alongside all of the different teams to provide first line and second line support to users and other society staff members. Carrying out tasks from password resets, RAM upgrades, security patching and network switch installations.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Learnt a great deal in terms of how networks are configured, set up and maintained. Also learnt the importance of company pc's having the latest security updates on them in order to remain compliant. Learnt how to make ports secure using Cisco ISE.

    8/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • Have really enjoyed working for a large organisation such as the Building Society having joined from a much smaller business. The IT team largely are great to work with and very supportive. Has exceeded my expectations in terms of opportunities to progress based on information I've been told. Enjoy it on a day to day basis.

    9/10

  • 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • There seemed to be a good structure of my programme in place prior to the global pandemic. There was an opportunity to move around the different departments and get used to each different role. Training provided by the apprenticeship provider is well structured in terms of exams. Work load for plans is possibly a bit bigger than expected. Support from assessor is good.

    7/10

  • 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • Monthly meetings with current line manage to check on my progress are carried out which gives me a chance to express any concerns. No real structure to the communication between myself and the person I was led to believe was the dedicated IT mentor of the business. Guidance received from Line Manager and colleague in terms of future plans for career. Attitude towards supporting me seems good provided I ask.

    7/10

  • 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
  • Training provider/Assessor is on hand to provide support with Assessment Plans that I need to submit. Accessibility of the support is good, either email or ring contact number. Attitude towards supporting me is good, lets me know I can get in touch any time. Enjoy the support when needed, assessment plan workload and time scales alongside sitting exams has been hard to balance.

    8/10

  • 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
  • Certainly has given me a better understanding and knowledge of things that I see in the workplace in some cases. Not all of what I have studied is done in the business or things may be done differently. Feel like I have been able to show what I have done for my day to day role in my plans more than what I have learnt from actually doing the plans. Online classrooms had a lot of information to take in, in such a short space of time which in some instances made it hard to take in all of the information but nevertheless has helped. On the whole, I feel like I have learnt more about my job role thanks to the course.

    7/10

  • 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.)
  • Opportunity to volunteer twice a year at local businesses which offers a good chance to interact with other people from the business. Have played football on my lunch break with fellow members of the IT department before too which again helps with team bonding.

    9/10

  • 9a. Would you recommend Newcastle Building Society to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • Good business to work for with what I've been led to believe is a lot of opportunities to progress and develop a career. Friendly staff with a well structured organisation and regular communication with executives on important business updates. Sense of being a part of the team from the majority of staff.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Newcastle Building Society?
  • Show the interest you have in the role that you are applying for. Ensure those interviewing you know you are keen on the job you are applying for, if you have experience in said role, make them aware, if not also make it known. Develop your personal and communication skills and be a friendly person.


Details

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Information Technology

Newcastle upon Tyne

July 2020


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