Hear from Kathleen, who discusses the opportunities she has since joining the Higher Technology Apprenticeship Programme

I joined Barclays through the Higher Technology Apprenticeship programme in August 2019. I’ve always had a passion for problem solving and gaming which had led to an interest in developing. I enjoy coding in my spare time and taking on development projects as a hobby. I was very academic at school, I was the school dux for my year in 2019 and assumed I would take the traditional university route after finishing my Highers.

I enjoy the opportunity to promote and raise awareness of apprenticeships. It’s great to be able to represent the programme and Barclays.

I had some limited knowledge of apprenticeships but was initially quite sceptical about what they offered. However, after attending a careers event I learnt more about Graduate Apprenticeship opportunities, the chance to combine studying for a degree with working, and was excited by the prospect that that I could do this within Tech at Barclays.

Being part of the Apprenticeship programme has really developed my confidence. I came straight from school into Barclays when I was 17 and when I joined I wasn’t comfortable with public speaking or used to engaging with such a wide range of different people. Now I find I often take the lead in group based activities and have really improved my presentation skills. I enjoy the opportunity to promote and raise awareness of apprenticeships through attending and speaking at various recruitment events for both high school students and university applicants. It’s great to be able to represent the programme and Barclays.