Commercial Assistant Review

by NatWest

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

7/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Apprentice commercial assistant. I have to speak to customers and deal with every day banking queries. I also get to look at companies financials and undertake financial analysis on these.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

Learnt people skills, financial knowledge, banking knowledge, workplace etiquette, how to be professional.

8/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the programme due to the people I work with. The apprenticeship itself is not great as the people do not receive any training for apprentices.

5/10

4. How valued do you feel by NatWest?

I feel very valued due to the people I work with and local management. My line manager, director and regional director have all made me feel valued and part of the team.

9/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Not very well. Training for those that train apprentices, liaising with BPP more

3/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

I receive a fair amount of support. The central team are the best. The specific assessor (of which I have had 3) were very inconsistent. Sometimes they were very good (Cherie mainly), however there were a few instances where it took too long to mark my work or get back to me.

4/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

A lot of support locally from all colleagues. Apprentice HR people also respond timely.

9/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

Very well. Very competitive when including value account. Think this will help attract talented apprentices in future.

9/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

Yes. If there are not any at the present, you are given licence to create them (community projects etc.)

8/10

9. Would you recommend NatWest to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

The people are great and I have seem them do great things for their customers as well as each other. It makes me proud that I get to work with such great people.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?

Banking isn't something that you are knowledgeable about before you do it. It is a great mix between working with people and getting stuck into financial analysis. You can undertake multiple roles, from relationship management to technology.