Jack
Apprenticeship placement
Jack started his apprenticeship in January 2023. In November 2024 he completed his apprenticeship and became a Scrum Master.
What have you enjoyed most about the placement?
The apprenticeship provided a great combination of practical experience and knowledge/theory-based teaching, using the combination of both I’ve been able to perform to a great standard individually and support my teams effectively.
What real-world projects did you work on?
I have worked within several teams, on countless projects within my time here at Flooid, focusing on the software development phase I’ve been able to support deliveries such as e-receipting, product image displays, insights dashboards, data warehouse enhancements and too many to count MFE (micro-front end) projects.
Working with several teams allows me to positively influence a project and the members involved, this ensures Flooid’s working environment remains a successful one.
What have been your highlights? / What is the best activity/project you have worked on during your apprenticeship? / Are there any team wins that have happened that you can describe?
My highlights have been the various people, from juniors to an executive level it’s an incredible opportunity at Flooid to work across the organisation levels and follow in experienced footsteps as well as breed your own styles, ways of working and processes. Many projects are exciting and innovative such as re-designing our self-checkout to be customizable and adaptable for retailers, a mega project needing extensive planning, resource, and time.
What new skills have you learned?
I’ve learnt a variety of new skills including managing different types of people, how best to utilise their skills and engage them throughout the project. I’ve learnt the technical aspects of software delivery and business operations, learning how to combine the two to ultimately deliver projects under the desired business structure. I’ve particularly enjoyed the problem-solving aspect, understanding where the gaps in efficiency (i.e. pipeline, productivity, process, software infrastructure, business decisions) and being able to find the best possible solution. This is a skill I’m still mastering and ultimately comes with experience rather than something you can learn through theory.
What have you found challenging?
The first month at Flooid was daunting and challenging to say the least, this is mostly because I had not worked at a software company before meaning the systems and organisational structure was new to me. There was lots of trial and error to begin with, so you needed to have confidence to reach out and look for support. Quickly after joining the company, I was asked to lead a team which was an incredibly challenging task, it demanded my absolute focus to ensure I could maintain a productive team with little experience at that time. I look back now, and I believe the expression ‘thrown in the deep end’ was an understatement however I wouldn’t have had it another way, it pushed my ability to the max and that’s exactly what I needed to supply my ambition.
Tell us about your experience applying for the apprenticeship/How did you find the application process overall?
My experience about applying for the role as well as the end-to-end process was most importantly clear, it outlined what was going to ask of me and when. I first found the role on the government apprenticeship website, here it outlined the job description, duration of the apprenticeship and other useful information about who to contact/how to apply. From my perspective there were three steps of the application process, the first was to apply and explain why I was interested in the position and what experience I had. The second was an online meeting to get to know me, and an opportunity for me to ask questions. The third phase was a face-to-face interview and practical test with people I’d be working closely with. Each step was clearly explained.
Did you feel you were well informed in the run up to your apprenticeship?
I was informed about the apprenticeship details before and during the course, the tutor I was assigned from the apprenticeship provider and everyone involved internally at Flooid were incredibly supportive in providing information before and throughout the process.
Were you nervous about before starting your placement role with Flooid?
I was excited to begin an apprenticeship with Flooid, I was however nervous about starting a position in a new industry. I enjoyed the apprenticeship process and learning both theory and putting it in practical skills.
How do you feel you have settled into the team?
I have settled into my teams well despite time zone differences, I have been able to influence and engage people in the team to follow agile principals, more efficient ways of working and create a better work environment since first joining. It’s ultimately my responsibility to create a high performant team whilst ensuring high moral and natural motivation for all members.
What advice would you give to others thinking of applying?/ Do you have any advice for others considering an apprenticeship at Flooid?
If you’re looking for a community-lead company with great support for one another, whilst growing into an expert of your field, Flooid can certainly offer the tools and people to do exactly that. I have seen apprentices well exceed expectations. It just takes perseverance, a genuine interest, and a great level of respect to yourself and others around you.
With these traits, you can succeed in almost anything, Flooid are the means of meeting your untapped potential.
What’s next ?
Currently, I’m leading two development teams in two very different areas of our product. We’re delivering exciting projects and features for customers and prospect customers so I’m enjoying working with different people to deliver quality software. I appreciate where my team’s performance levels are in comparison with other teams in the company and I’d equally enjoy sharing best practice and improve process across the company. Flooid are expanding more than ever it seems, new regions, new countries meaning opportunities will always be there and I plan to be a part of this exciting era.
