Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
- 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
- 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.)
- 9a. Would you recommend M&G to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to M&G?
As a Software Engineer working with M&G, I focus on Customer Technologies including web design, web maintenance, and process automation. As the world of technology rapidly changes, M&G regularly pushes out new technology for our customers to use, which us engineers are dedicated to improving and engineering. My responsibilities as an apprentice is to develop my skills within the IT sector and to maintain the quality of my work. My skills prior to joining are maxamised to it's full potential at M&G, and even developed further by training courses linked to your role.
With M&G, you are given a dedicated 7 hour block to focus on your learning, seperate to your work. This includes studies for your exams and time to focus on new skills by yourself. M&G provide you with a multitude of different online and in-person courses linked to your role, including certifications.
The work provided is consistant and customary to your role, which helps you focus on your work-based learning skills. The culture at M&G is very diverse, with multiple ethnicities and women at work. Throughout the during of the apprenticeship progam, I have been supported by multiple colleagues with my work and learning, including my manager. So far, I have enjoyed every part of my working life, including the freedom and all the perks.
Going back to the very start of the application process, M&G were very consistant with their assessment centre days, induction day, and their support. M&G provide you with constructive feedback about your application, which can help you in future careers and how you can improve on your application(s). At the start of your apprenticeship, you are eased into the working life by them introducing to you what tasks/projects you may be doing during your apprenticeship. You have your own qualification assessor who supports you in your qualfication work and your courses/exams. Overall, I would say that the structure of the Apprenticeship program is one of the best I have experienced, and I would highly recommend it to others.
M&G support you in so many different ways, including mentally, physically, career and even personal support. At M&G, you feel as if you can approach anyone if you have a problem with a certain task or project. Your manager supports you entirely, including if you need help with what path to take for career development, supporting you in certain work you cant complete and even supporting you with your wellbeing.
With my training provider, I've recieved their full support regarding types of courses linked to my role, my portfolio work and how to write it, how a course would benefit my role and overall, generally attentative support by my assessor. What you do in your qualification is linked to your role, meaning what you learn during your course can be used in your everyday work.
With my qualification, not only do I gain further experience in my role, but a bigger understanding on the important's of my role and a in-depth understanding on different topics. Having this qualification alongside work experience gives you future opportunities with career progession including univesity, college, or another firm.
With M&G, there are hundreds of different extra-curricular activities to get involved in, including community events with your team/department, after-work social events, financial associations (such as Investment 20/20), charity work, and so much more. M&G encourage employee's to take part in extra-curricular activities all around the UK. M&G also include self-learning and self-development classes such as group music classes, meditation groups or even yoga classes! For your everyday leisure, M&G also provide subsidised gym memberships/classes through XEXEC to encourage you to build on your physical health.
Yes
M&G Apprenticeships are one of the highest rated apprenticeships in the UK, and in my experience, deserves that rating. M&G's Apprenticeships include so many perks and benefits to the working world that it would speed up your career in Business, Finance, or IT. In my personal experience, I would choose this apprenticeship over college, as you gain work experience, build a portfolio of your work, earn transferrable skills, and best of all, get paid for it!
When applying for a role as an Apprentice, make sure to do your research. Learn more about your role, what you will be doing in your day-to-day work life, what skills you would need and build, and how this apprenticeship would benefit you in your future career. Another tip is know what the company wants! What kind of skills or persona's would the company want from you? One of the most important tips I would mention is to show your passion for the role. It's important to note that any company wont hire you if you unsure about the role your applying for. Even if you don't have prior experience with the role your applying for, showing your devotion to the role will show M&G that you are the right fit for the role.
Details
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Information Technology
Edinburgh
May 2022