Compliance Apprentice Review

I am currently an apprentice within Compliance. My day to day role includes reviewing area of the business to ensure they are following the regulations to avoid fines and sanctions being implemented on our business. I carry out fieldwork and test business areas, then write a review with my findings which is then presented to the business owners for them to implement change if rules are not being followed. I interact with all my team daily and many other within the business. I t is a great way to get to know different people within the company as a new starter.

I have learnt how to structure Compliance monitoring reviews and how to carry out the testing. I have developed business people skills and how to interact with people in a corporate fashion. I have also learnt how to ask questions based on the reviews I am undertaking. I have been on client services training courses so am aware of how to treat customers fairly, as well as sitting my IOC exam which has provided me with the basis of the investment industry. I have learnt so much in my first few months of employment at Fidelity and valuable life skills.

I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship. My team are fantastic to work with and the company is so supportive and flexible. The culture are Fidelity is extremely friendly and everyone is willing to go out their way to help you. I certainly see myself staying with Fidelity for some time. I love ebing an employee at Fidelity.

I feel extremely valued. I receive recognition from my manager as well as being asked to help on various projects in the company, which is important as it shows that apprentices are valued and their skills are wanted by others in the company, instead of being seen as under skilled and not important which is a strong view in some businesses.

My programme is structured. My manager structures my day to day job role, my college assessor structures my exams and my apprentice coordinator structures training days and apprentice based events. I have to manage my study time however my team supports me with this and I am allocated 4 hours a week away from my desk to study. I am in control of structuring my daily tasks, and meetings which gives me some responsibility day to day. I am well supported with my reviews and training.

I meet my college assessor once a month where my work is checked and I am set deadlines to meet. I feel I am well supported but I also feel that they could be a little more transparent with the criteria I have to meet for my NVQ as I feel that I am left in the dark at times. Overall I do feel supported.

I receive plenty of support from my employer. My manager and mentor are always there to support me and have helped me develop so much. HR team are very supportive especially my apprentice coordinator who goes out her way to support me and provide help with my exams as well as my day to day to day role. I also have frequent calls with my apprentice coordinator to check my progress and to check that I am happy and supported.

My salary does meet my costs. Compared to other apprentice providers, I receive a very good salary plus all my benefits that I receive e.g pension.

There are plenty of opportunities away from my desk. I am currently involved in a voluntary company project, in which I will gain valuable skills and the opportunity to network. I also get given training days externally which gives the chance to network.

Yes

Fidelity International is a fantastic company to work for. You are so well supported through out your career although you must be hard working and self-driven to guide your career. Fidelity are very flexible and provide so many great opportunities. Being a privately owned company, it looks after it staff very well who are the centre of its business. There are not many companies like Fidelity around so I would recommend it to anyone that is motivated to kick-start their career in financial services.

My top tip would be never be afraid to ask questions. Everyone at Fidelity is so friendly and the family culture is very noticeable in the work space. I would also say that Fidelity are very supportive of your career and goals however you must be willing to work hard, go above and beyond and drive your own career on order to benefit.