QA Software & Web Developers Programme

Hello,

Last night I was looking at apprenticeships because it seems like they are more beneficial than a degree at the moment and I came across QA and their Software & Web Developers Programme which looks pretty good; I am studying a computer science degree (having a year out but only completed first year). So obviously this is the kinda thing im after but I was just wondering what sort of things you learn, where youll end up working and what sort of qualifications youll come out with at the end and whether theyre worth anything?

Basically, if anyone has done any QA apprenticeships and could offer some advice or more information id appreciate it.

Thanks

Reply 1

Elderon

I sent off my application to them not so long ago now, I have heard that it depends on which course you choose though (Hardware & Networking or Software & Web Development). Personally I went for the software one as programming is my thing, judging from the qualifications though, if you do Hardware you will learn about:

Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS)
CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications
City & Guilds Certificate in IT Systems and Principles
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in IT Professional Competence

So that I am guessing is all server management etc. there is some kind of interview with the hardware apprentices here: http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/beinspired/view/603 although it isn't overly useul on what you do...some links at the bottom at that page though to other videos of apprentices and what they do at QA.

As for software, there is this: http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/beinspired/view/607 that shows an interview with someone doing that course. Judging from the qualifications on this one though it is more of an either/or thing:

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) in Software Development Fundamentals, or
Java certification

Plus:
City & Guilds Certificates in IT Systems and Principles
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in IT Professional Competence

I am guessing that is either C#/.Net programming OR Java...which to me Java seems the more desirable, but everyone has their own opinions. Hope this helped somewhat. Hope to hear off QA soon seems like a decent alternative to A levels.

Reply 2

bromleysuk95

Hi there.

I've been doing my QA apprenticeship for 11 months in Software Development. I applied via the jobseekers to do a web development course which I was told I was going to do however they decided to make me do software development. This means I have learnt some Java and have been forced to do useless courses in .Net and various languages that have absolutely 0 meaning to me. What makes it worse is that apart from the slight training I received in Java (got a distinction in the test...) and javascript, I have been given 0 materials on any of my coursework and I can actually hardly find anything online to help nor can my "assessor" aka some guy from india with 0 knowledge on my course, help me.

I'm 19, I was out of my A levels got BCD and my parents didnt want me to go to a third rate university so I signed up for an apprenticeship. In hindsight I would of resat and gone to university as this seems to be a waste of a qualification. I will have a qualification in software development whilst at my job I have only learnt web development and digital marketing and therefore I don't actually know how to develop software....

Seeing as I finish next month the only good thing to come out of this is that I will have a job earning just above the minimum wage which in the long term is ****. It's just retarded they gave me a job in web development but make me do a software development course which was completely useless for me.

I really wish I went to university.