Investment Operations Apprentice Review

I am currently working in the Dividends team within Investment Operations. The role involves making sure that all dividends paid on our equity investments and interest on bond investments match what we are expecting to receive. This involves ensuring that any factors affecting the payment are correct. If incorrect, we will then need to query why the payments are incorrect with the custodian.

I have learned many new skills since stating my apprenticeship with M&G Investments. The main skill I have learned is knowledge of the job role. An apprenticeship at M&G gives excellent exposure to on the job experience. Being put into your job role, learning and gaining experience from your very first day allows you to quickly develop a strong foundation of knowledge on how the industry works. You will also undertake 3 exams which assist with the factual knowledge of the industry. There are also frequent opportunities to attend internal and external courses to extend your knowledge of particular financial instruments as well as financial markets. Upon joining M&G you will be introduced to Investment2020 which holds frequent events where trainees/apprentices from a vast amount of firms can meet one another. I have also greatly developed existing skills. Communication is a key part of the job role, after quickly building a strong foundation of knowledge, it allows you to communicate incredibly confidently with other departments about your job role.

I personally love coming into work. My team are friendly and made me feel very comfortable and welcome. They are more than happy to help when I have queries and questions and will do their best to ensure a solution is provided. M&G has a fantastic company culture. Everyone is very friendly and more than happy to help you out. M&G exceeded my expectations. I am incredibly happy working here.

I definitely feel valued by M&G Investments. I am always more than happy to help people in the firm regardless if I have to stay late or get in early. This is appreciated by my manager and team leader, and this will be brought up during 1 to 1 meetings regarding my progress.

The apprenticeship scheme at M&G Investments is very organised. There are meetings once a week with your manager to discuss progress and meetings every two months with your apprenticeship manager to discuss progress. Any events that are available to apprentices are highlighted well in advance and these will be inserted into your work calendar with an invitation. This ensures you have enough time to make sure you can attend. You also have meetings with your external apprenticeship mentor once a month to track progress on the coursework and exam side of the apprenticeship. Overall, the apprenticeship is very organised, ensuring you can make the most of all opportunities that arise.

I have meetings every month with my mentor. Due to the frequency of the meetings, there is often no need to contact them in between these meetings. However if you have any questions and queries regarding the work then they are generally efficient at responding to emails.

The support received by M&G Investments is amazing. My manager will often allow me time during the working day to revise for my exams if I have completed my daily work showing great support. My apprenticeship manager is also very supportive of my exams and ensures that I am getting enough time in working hours during the week to revise.

The salary at M&G Investments is very good. I am able to cover all costs, including: travel, social and daily costs and I am still able to save money after these costs.

There are many opportunities outside of work. We have an email that is sent frequently which will highlight any sporting events that may be coming up as well as any tickets for concerts/events that people may be interested in.

Yes

I feel as though it is a very good company to work for. The scheme is very organised and has incredible opportunities that can give you an incredible start in the world of work.

The main tips I would give to someone applying to M&G: 1) Research the company in reasonable detail to ensure you know what we do. 2) Try to obtain knowledge of job role before you start, this will put you in a good place. 3) Make sure you prepare as much as possible for the application process by researching the job role.