tech11 Blog

Hi, I'm Amar Kharssa and I am currently in the third year of my apprenticeship as a specialist in IT for application development at tech11. Before I immersed myself in the world of IT, I trained as an insurance and finance clerk and worked in this field for a few years. But my passion for IT and software development ultimately led me to start a second apprenticeship in 2022 - this time at tech11, a company that develops innovative IT solutions for the insurance industry.

About tech11

tech11 develops smart IT solutions for the insurance industry using modern technologies and agile working methods. We are a young, dynamic team that always has its finger on the pulse and develops innovative software together.

What makes us special? An open corporate culture in which everyone counts and a strong focus on collaboration and personal development. At tech11, the focus is not only on technology, but also on people.

Why tech11?

I wanted to stay in the insurance industry but switch to the software development side. Through my experience, I quickly realized that the industry often still uses old-fashioned ways of working, such as fax or outdated insurance core systems.

tech11 offered me the perfect opportunity to combine my passion for IT with my experience in the insurance sector. It was clear from the start that at tech11 you work with the latest technologies and always have your finger on the pulse. This is extremely important in the IT sector and one of the many reasons why I chose this company. Here, the focus is not only on professional training, but also on a working environment in which team spirit is a top priority.

The training program: theory and practice in perfect balance

The training at tech11 is extremely practice-oriented and aims to train trainees to become competent software developers. The mixture of theoretical lessons at vocational school and practical work in the company ensures that you can apply what you have learned directly.

What can you expect during your apprenticeship?

• Knowledge of software development and programming: You will learn both basic and advanced programming skills and immerse yourself in various software development processes.
• Modern technologies and programming languages: At tech11, you will be trained in the latest programming languages and technologies and learn how to apply them in practice.
• Problem-solving skills: Analyzing and solving complex technical problems is part of your daily work. Your analytical thinking will be encouraged.
• Teamwork and agile working: Joint projects and agile methods and retrospectives are standard here. You will not only learn to work in a team, but also to take on responsibility independently.

A typical day at tech11

My working day at tech11 always starts with a good coffee - it's a must! Then I check my emails and team messages to plan the day. I spend most of my time working on my tickets. That means developing new features for the tech11 platform or fixing bugs. In between, there are meetings like our daily, where we briefly discuss as a team what was done the day before and what's coming up next.

I use various tools for development: My preferred IDE is IntelliJ, our backend is based on Jakarta EE, and we use Wildfly and Quarkus as application servers. For the database, I use DataGrip, and Bitbucket serves as a code repository. Jenkins takes care of the pipelines, and Notion is my go-to for documentation and notes.

Challenges, experiences and lessons learned

The beginning of my training at tech11 was challenging, no question. There were moments that were not only demanding, but also frustrating. But it was precisely these challenges that allowed me to grow and helped me to make progress step by step. Things that were strange and difficult to grasp at first - such as programming independently and participating in projects - are now an integral part of my everyday working life and I really enjoy it.

Over time, I've not only learned technical skills, but also a lot about myself and the way I work. Every day there are new tasks that challenge me, but also help me to progress. I have learned to analyze complex problems, find solutions and become part of a team that treats me as a full member.

These experiences and the continuous learning processes have helped me to develop both professionally and personally. I have realized that learning in small steps and by mastering challenges is the best way to grow.

At tech11, I am not seen as an "apprentice", but as someone whose ideas and questions are taken seriously. This gives me the confidence to be well prepared for the challenges ahead and makes me look forward to what is yet to come.

Tips for future trainees

An apprenticeship in IT is both exciting and challenging. A few things are important to get off to a good start:

1. Acquire the basics: Get to grips with the basics of programming in advance. There are many free online courses and tutorials that will help you develop a feel for programming.
2. Curiosity and willingness to learn: The IT world is changing rapidly. Be prepared to constantly learn new things and embrace new technologies. Openness to change is a key to success in this field.
3. Teamwork: IT projects are rarely carried out alone. Learn the importance of working in a team and giving and receiving feedback regularly. Agile methods, such as Scrum, are standard in many companies.
4. Patience and perseverance: Starting out in IT can be frustrating - you will often encounter problems for which there is no immediate solution. Don't give up! The process of troubleshooting and problem solving is part of it.
5. Develop soft skills: In addition to technical skills, communication skills are also important. IT projects often require you to work with customers or other departments. Clarity in communication helps to avoid misunderstandings.

Training at tech11 offers an excellent opportunity not only to immerse yourself in the world of IT, but also to work in a dynamic and innovative environment. The focus here is on modern technologies, agile working methods and teamwork.

tech11 supports the professional and personal development of its trainees and offers them the space to continuously improve. Anyone who is ready to take on challenges has the best chance of starting a successful career in software development at tech11.