Learner Testimonial — Yuhan, Software Developer apprentice and Skills Bootcamps graduate

When taken together, Skills Bootcamps in Digital and IT Apprenticeships can become a pathway to reskill into tech. Our learner, Yuhan Zhao has taken this journey and is currently an apprentice with Lloyds Banking Group. This is her story.

Yuhan has an Engineering background; she did a PhD in Chemistry, focusing on Chemical Engineering. This included a lot of computer modelling and programming.

“I’ve always worked as a chemist in the lab, but I wanted to start a family. During Covid I had to go to the lab a lot – my work-life balance was not very good – so I started my own business, developing recipes for the food industry. After the pandemic was a difficult time to run a small business, so, whilst still running it, I was looking for other opportunities too. In December 2023, I decided to close my company and focus on my current career.

“Soon after, I saw an advert for an interesting, female-only Skills Bootcamp in Digital. My husband is a programmer; his interest in the field may have influenced me, although I didn’t realize it at the time. I applied and I was selected!

“In the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect, but the Women in Tech Bootcamp was excellent. It was so good to be in this environment. We talked a lot, not only about the bootcamp, but about our lives, supporting each other, which mattered a lot to me, especially as a new mom.

“We took certifications as part of the bootcamp. It was a bit stressful. Some exams were tough, like Java – a lot of time to prepare. We also took the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 and Azure Developer Associate AZ-204. (I recently retook the exam because the certificate expires after one year.)

“For a new mom, the Skills Bootcamp schedule worked out really well. Other bootcamps I had considered are 9 to 5 every day, but ours was more spread out, more flexible, giving us time during the week to do the projects.

“We had one day each week to talk to our Success Coach, Zaira [Martinez Delgado], about the projects, then another day to focus on academic skills. It was great to dedicate other days to my family. I had the baby sleeping on my arm during the workshops.

“After the Skills Bootcamp, I interviewed with Lloyds Banking Group and received the offer to become a Software Developer apprentice. I’m quite into technology, I like to explore and discover what’s happening, I enjoy a challenge, so I jumped at this great opportunity to learn and to change my career.

“Before the Apprenticeship started, Lloyds had us attend a four-week Software Bootcamp to prepare us to work there. After that, at the end of April, we progressed to our Apprenticeships as permanent Lloyds employees.

“My Apprenticeship is a 16-month Level 4 in Software Development delivered through Firebrand. My team is central; we focus on the Lloyds Cloud Platform. We analyse data to support Lloyds Customer Service, although we’re not directly customer-facing.

“Before taking the Apprenticeship, I had an idea what it could be like. During my PhD, in the lab, I mentored students, so I’ve seen how they learn on the job and develop their skills. On my Apprenticeship, I do two days at the office per week, based in Leeds, and the rest remotely.

“I’m not doing certifications at the moment, but I’m planning to take a Power BI certification during the Christmas break, as we use this software a lot.

“At the moment, I’m trying to complete my Apprenticeship in 12 months, which is the fastest that the programme allows. My Mentors and Success Coach say this can happen, as I’m on track for EPA this April!”

So, one year on, would you recommend taking Skills Bootcamps and Apprenticeships?

“I’ve always been self-driven to learn; every tutor I’ve encountered during these programmes has provided an opportunity. Having a background in education, I can see the advantages of both sides; some of my colleagues have a lot of background knowledge because they have Computer Science degrees. However, for me, even taking a one-year Masters would just be sitting in the classroom, not earning an income, and still having to look for a job at the end. The Skills Bootcamp saved me lots of time – I would recommend it!”

Thank you for your feedback, Yuhan!