Apprentice Software Developer Review

I work on the front end of the Autotrader retailer website, which car dealers upload car details and use tools to help them sell more cars. This involves picking up Jira tickets, discussing these with other teams members before starting them, then working on them until completed and going them the completed ticket with the test engineers to make any changes required.

I've learnt a lot of new skills, specifically how to make things in Angular and Typescript, how typing works in Typescript, how the Jira workflow is supposed to be used, how to deploy websites using Go pipelines, pretty much everything I currently know about Angular in fact - making components, services, and the like, using NGRX, loads of stuff

I really enjoy learning and working at Auto Trader and feel very supported by my buddy and the early careers team. I have some concerns about Manchester Digital's ability to provide support and guidance as there seems to be a lack of clarity about portfolio content and completion, including some contradictory advice which is very frustrating. Unrelated but there's nowhere else to put it - if apprenticeships are for everyone please do not directly refer to 'young people' in your communications are it feels like I'm not really included when you do that.

For the first year, we had weekly sessions every Tuesday at Auto Trader learning about the basics of programming initially and then going into more depth about HTML, CSS, JavaScript and TypeScript. Manchester Digital have organised fairly regular BootCamp sessions roughly once a month. MD also organise review sessions, but these have been less regular.

My employers have been incredibly supportive and have provided training sessions, resources, and as much time as we require to learn things, and have now begun sessions to help us do the portfolio part. There's are also early careers and specific apprentice support channels available to us, which I should probably start using more.

Possibly because of the change in the standard and possibly because of the staffing issues Manchester Digital seem to be having it feels like there have been issues with the support available from and provided by the training provider. Perhaps there are funding issues? his should not be my concern, but considerably more clarity could be forthcoming.

I'm not sure, to be honest. I guess the significant contribution to my salary makes a significant difference and is the only reason a chance has been taken on an inexperienced developer of my age, but whether the very notion of a level 4 apprenticeship makes a difference in itself is a bit abstract. Again due to my age I suspect a lot of colleagues are not aware that I am an apprentice.

Yes, there are sports teams available, networking events are provided and encouraged, tribe sessions frequently involve a social element and even the online ones had games to break up the business parts. Unfortunately the Christmas party was cancelled for covid related preseason, and in-person socialisation has been an issue for covid related reasons, but I think they're doing a good job of trying to connect people gi en the circumstances.

Yes

It's a nice place to work, staff are friendly and supportive, there seem to be opportunities to progress and support is provided to learn new skills and even change career paths. Location is pretty good for getting nice food and running errands in town, also there's a very good and reasonably priced canteen.

I'm not sure how well I can answer this to be honest. I guess knowing a bit about either java or javascript before the interview process would help, but considering how much I struggle in an interview environment I would not consider providing advice to others at any point.