Operational Risk & Governance Apprentice Review

My apprenticeship with M&G Investments is based within their Operational Risk & Governance (ORG) team. As part of the team, I am handed a number of responsibilities in which must be operated on a daily basis. Primarily, my role consists of providing support and assistance to the needs of the Risk analysts throughout the team. Another substantial part of my role is to perform an administrator role for Operational Risks GRC platform. This involves communicating with Risk managers across the business to help analyse and manage their risks within this central system.

During my time at M&G, I have acquired many new skills thorugh both on the job learning and the work that is done by the M&G Learning and Development/ Investment 2020. At M&G, there are numerous opportunities for employees to further their understanding of the business but also develop competency based skills.

The Operational Risk & Governance programme is fantastic. Coming from 6th form with little knowledge of the Financial Services sector, M&G have provided the perfect environment to ensure that I am not overwhelmed by the industry. Taking the understanding that you are new to the industry, M&G find the perfect balance between giving you the required time to develop, yet challenging you to do so. This I feel perfectly depicts the great culture M&G instils throughout the workplace.

Being an employee at M&G has surpassed my expectations. You are treated like any other employee of the firm and are not limited by your apprentice title. When there are issues that I have in regards to work, my team always welcome questions and encourage me to raise any concerns I may have.

From the first day, M&G have made it very clear to me how my apprenticeship programme will be structured. Routinely, I meet my external assessor who provides me with guidance and work to do which in turn helps me push towards finishing my apprenticeship. In the event that i may have a problem with the apprenticeship, I am in full knowledge of who to contact and they encourage me to do so.

My trainer provider is very useful in the work I complete as part of my apprenticeship. I am always encouraged to email them with any problems I have as part of my learning. The monthly visits also help keep me on path to completing the apprenticeship programme.

My employer supports me in whatever work I look to endeavour into. In my short time at the company, there has been a wide range of activities in which I have participated in and my team always look for ways in which I can be involved on a daily basis.

The salary at M&G is competitive for the industry in which I work. Travelling into London will always be expensive but I am always able to have more than enough after this deduction to live well.

Certainly. At M&G the opportunities are endless in regards to company events. Due to its size, M&G are involved in lots of internal and external events which are available to all employees. As part of the programme moreover it is made certain that team building days are regular to help build relationships in the workplace.

Yes

M&G is a brilliant place to work and I would highly recommend it to any individual who are looking to push themselves in the workplace. Inside out knowledge of the financial sector is not a essential requirement here at M&G, with a very mixed culture of people from all different backgrounds. M&G I feel is the perfect place for me to grow and begin my career.

A key tip I would give to school leavers when applying to M&G is to not be overwhelmed by the financial sector. As mentioned before, there are a wide range of jobs available at M&G and many of which do not require you to be an expert in finance. Another piece of advice i would give is be yourself and do your research. M&G are looking for the 'right person' and this is obvious through the recruitment process. Recruiters here at M&G are not expecting you to know everything, but they want to be able to see that you are keen and willing to learn about the industry. As long as you do your research about the job in which you are applying and M&G itself, there should be nothing in any of the stages of recruitment which should surprise of phase you.