Business Admin Apprentice Review

My job role involves acting as a support contact for a programme called Planview specifically for Resource Management. My daily tasks involve receiving queries from other staff and helping them with their issue, or escalating it if it is a defect. I never have to deal with any external interaction and only deal with internal interactions from people who work within Technology.

I have taken part in a variety of courses and events since starting my apprenticeship that have allowed me to develop my skills. I was involved in a Early Career challenge which I was placed into a team for 9 weeks to work together to find a solution to fix a problem in the bank. In the final of this Challenge I had to present to a board of executives which broadened my skill of public speaking and presenting. I am also involved in the Entrepreneurial Development Academy which is giving me Entrepreneurial skills as well as more confidence.

I do enjoy my programme of work and enjoy being part of my team however the apprenticeship work did not meet my expectations. As I am doing a Business Admin course I expected to be learning more about business related information instead of my apprenticeship work being focused on things like the environment and recycling.

My team make me feel really valued and made me feel welcome right from the start. I enjoy getting valuable feedback from my manager and others so I know when I am doing something right or when I need to improve. I feel valued by the Early Careers team as they have asked me to go out to schools to speak to students about apprenticeships. However some staff in the bank have bad prejudices against apprentices.

My team hierarchy is very well structured and we have weekly team meetings where we update each other on the work we are doing and this helps us with task delegation. The 3 day induction I had at RBS was well structured however was focused primarily on school leavers which many of the apprentices have previously had a job.The apprenticeship is well structured with clear deadline dates given at the start of each task. I have experienced times where the question I have to answer says to do something different to what my assessor is asking me to do.

My apprenticeship assessor gives me a lot of support and occasionally emails me to see how I am getting on. We also have regular face to face and phone meetings where my assessor travels all the way to my office to see me. She also helps me with my problems that I go to her with about my apprenticeship work.

My Manager gives me a lot of support and is very understanding of my situations. He has a positive attitude when supporting me and goes out his way to make sure I am OK. My manager helps me with any support I need with my work and helps me when I am stuck. There are also various help lines available to phone in work if you needed so.

My salary is very good to help me manage my expenses. I travel into work by train which can be very expensive and have living costs and own a car as well. Lunch can also be expensive to buy everyday. My salary helps me to afford all this and have money available for social costs.

There are a variety of networking events I have been invited to held at Gogarburn. Gogarburn also has a gym and pool allowing you to go here before or after work, or perhaps on lunch. There are many sport clubs available to join in the bank such as a ski club or football club. I volunteer at every chance I get to help out at events such as community work that my team have been involved in.

Yes

I would and have recommended RBS to a friend as it is a great company to work for and I have built a variety of skills through the apprenticeship that I did not build before anywhere else. I love working for a large organisation and being able to meet new people everyday.

I would advise them to be themselves in the application and interviews and to stay calm to not let nerves get them best of them. I would of liked to of been told about the different job roles available for the apprenticeship as I had no idea the type of job I would be in.