Pensions Retirement Call Consultant Review

I am a call consultant working within the Retirement journey area of Scottish Widows. I talk people through their retirement options and start the process or take them through the whole journey depending on the option chosen.

I have developed skills I already have and have learned to be more thorough in the language and wording I use to communicate with the customer. I havent learned new skills but have improved some that I already had/used

I have not been enjoying my apprenticeship until recently as my original assessor was not very good and when she left the company, I did not hear from a single person in regards to my apprenticeship for 6 months. Now that I have had regular meetings and a new plan set up, I am happier and want to push through with the qualification.

I feel valued by the banking group as I am rewarded for my good work and I have the options to change work patterns, to extra work and qualifications as well as do my job along with great training. It is not a job I will do for life but I feel that the chance to rise through the ranks is there if I choose to do so.

Recently I feel the programme has been much more structured but previously I would say it was not organised at all and possibly could have been likened to a primary school class project. I had no idea who was to speak to me, where I was in regards to completing this apprenticeship and also if I was even still part of the apprenticeship. Since contact was made (after 6 months of none) I feel it has been 100x's better and feel there is a plan in place and that is able to be followed and completed without having to overload myself or stretch too far.

I now receive ample supprt at the other end of an email or phone call. Previously I had little or no support and was not happy with this at all. Once contact had been made after this 6 month gap, i have been satisfied with the support given

Scottish Widows and the management I have had have been fantastic in offering me time off of the phones and time scheduled in to do my apprenticeship work. I have also been able to approach them to ask for answers and pointers for questions asked in the work books.

My salary covers my costs with a small bit spare per month. This isnt enough to save vast amounts but it gioves me the money to go on holidays and treat myself and my family to treats and pays for the bills i need and a few luxuries.

There are many opportunities and I feel I can apply for these or use my skills to speak about them freely when questioned about them. I do not feel stuck solely to my current work situation and I am confident to do more outside of work

Yes

They treat their staff very well and, from my experience, very fair. I am listened to in regards of my short term and long term goals and help me with the knowledge and skills to meet them. I never feel that there is no-one to talk to about anything.

Try to learn about the company and the sector you are coming into but the training and the academy procedure you go through will give you plenty of knowledge. I started knowing very little, if anything, about pensions and now know a lot about a variety of pensions and the laws around them. I would say that you have to be pro-active in asking for opportunities and not wait for them to come, and to put yourself forward for many small roles and odd jobs to get yourself known to management.