Finance Business Apprentice Review

Sales Accounts Analyst - I am responsible for invoicing company car vehicles, payments for first reg and Road tax to the DVLA, as well as this there are many more areas to my role. I deal with many dealer queries regarding consignment of vehicles and am in contact with dealers throughout the day by telephone. I also buyback vehicles from NDR (National Daily Rental Companies) which involves me putting on invoices, releasing the invoice for payment then finally paying for the vehicles. I feel that my job role is challenging and different each day which makes me gain a good variety of knowledge.

The main skills developed and learned are mainly communication skills as I deal with queries face to face and by telephone, it has really developed my confidence with communication especially over the phone. I have finished my Level 2 and 3 Business and Adminstration NVQ and am now working towards my Level 4. The work is not that difficult and easy to do, there is help and guidance given if needed by our learner/tutor, who are very helpful, they come in and see us every 2-3 months or so.

I look forward to coming into work each day, the people I work with are great and it feels like a family. I have worked in a large team here during my first year as an apprentice but now I work in a small team with just a supervisor and manager in the team. I feel like in a large team you are not noticed as much, but in a small team you are working for each other to try and get the job done which I prefer. The programme I feel has helped me develop hugely, the company is always trying to improve and find ways of doing things better which makes me want to develop my role and find more efficent ways of doing things.

I feel valued by PSA as everyone in my department has taken time to welcome me into the team and help me learn my role which I had no prior experience in. My collagues have taken time out of there busy schedules to teach me my job, I even got a thank you card from my manager for working over a few days when we were exceptionally busy, which makes you feel great, as your work has been recognised. I have been involved with big objectives/projects and given freedom to do them on my which meant driving to dealerships and doing audits on my own without supervision, it gives you independence which makes you feel trusted.

The programme has been organised well, there is plenty of support from our managers in HR and internally. The induction week was beneficial as it broke us into work casually and we went on team building exercises with the other apprentices, which allowed us to get to know each other. The studying was organised well with deadlines given to get tasks completed by and dates of when the tutor/learner was coming into the office to meet us.

Our training provider is brillant, we meet every 2-3 months with our tutor/learner. The tutor is only a phone call away and offers guidance with any questions which I may be stuck on, nothing is to much bother at all, he is friendly and easy to talk to talk too. I enjoy learning and as there are a few apprentices doing the same projects we even help each other out with questions, as not all the questions are really to do with your jpob role but different areas of the business where other apprentices work.

My manager is very supportive, I have one to one meetings every fortnight, where I can discuss issues or worries I have. We have a buddy system with the apprenticeship scheme, where I had a buddy first year who I could talk to about things which was beneficial. This year I am a buddy for the new starters which allows me to give advice about things which allows them to settle in and ask questions about things they may be worried about. Peugeot Citroen treat us well we can have a company car on the scheme, we get treated fairly and there is plenty of support from collagues and HR.

I do not live in Coventry where I work, so I travel each day which is about 12 miles each way,I feel that my salary is very good for an apprentice and it covers my travel costs well. My living costs are also covered well as I live with my parents but if I moved out on my own it could be a struggle with the wage I am getting. There is a restaurant on site where you can buy hot meals which is ideal, the quality of food is brilliant for the money spent, you couldnt get that quality food for those prices anywhere which is great.

Throughout the year there are plenty of events organised through the company from quiz nights, football tournaments, christmas partys, Barbeques and much more, these allow you to meet new people from inside the company. The apprentices try to meet up a few times each year to do activities like bowling, laser quest etc, which is great fun as you get to know each other better. There is also chances to help with charities if you want too, where you can volunteer time or give food/presents.

Yes

The company seems to be getting stronger, our results seem to be improving, but most importantly the atmosphere and people who work here are great and really make the place. The apprenticeship scheme has helped me develop and gain skill whilst gaining experience, I feel I understand alot about the business and am part of it. I also feel valued and get support from my collagues as well as gaining independence, there is always knew things to learn and never the same challanges each day.

When going through the whole process, be confident, listen to what people are saying and try to sell yourself. The assesment days can be challenging but just do your best, I feel that if you want to learn and develop show that as the interviews and managers here want us to better ourselves. I would recommend anyone to apply, as it is a brilliant company to work for and the people are great.