Mortgage Underwriting Support Administraor Review

My daily role is within Mortgage Underwriting where I assess applications for lease extensions. I am given time out to attend Apprenticeship calls and am giving Mondays as a 'Study from Home' day.

I have developed my time management skills as I have been required to balance my daily work with my apprenticeship assignments and calls, while sticking to deadlines and producing high quality work. I have also increased my written skills as I have produced numerous Business Reports for my assignemnts, which I have not done before.

I really enjoy my programme. It's been an excellent way to meet and network with fellow Apprentices and it has helped me establish a strong support network. My coach at Learn Direct, Amanda Osborne, is very approachable and knowledgeble which has made the experience all the more interesting and enjoyable. The assingments given are based on interesting subject matter and the deadlines are realistic but flexible. I particually enjoy the Development Days with Learn Direct. The days are normally based in London which helps me gain real insight into other offices within LBG.

I do feel valued in many ways. My colleagues are all very friendly and welcoming and I feel like a real member of the team. I have also had meeting with managers of high grades which I do not feel would have been as possible if it wasn't for my apprenticeship programme. I also find it motivating that LBG believes in me enough to have given me a full salary as soon as I entered the business. I do however feel slightly concerned that the area in which I have been put in has next to no room for progression (I am a garde B and the next garde up from me within the department is a grade D. I have been told that the jump from a B to a D is therefore too big a jump to be realistic). I therefore feel I have no other choice than to move to another department. I think this is a shame as I really enjoy the department in which I currently work, and feel I have really gained a thorough understanding of the mortgage process. I therefore do not feel completely valued in respect of feeling like I cannot progress in my current role. I have also seen that when there is a job vacancy, if people apply wanting a side ways move, rather than a promotion, they would be more likely to get the role. E.g. If a grade C vacancy was available, someone who is already a garde C would be more likely to get it than someone who was applying as a grade B wanting a promotion. I find this worrying as as apprentices, the whole premise is to try to work our ways up through the business. If all departments take the view that people applying from a sideways position are more well qualified than someone of a lower grade, then this is concerning and doesn't show faith in the peoples abilities who are wanting to work their way through the ranks.

The programme is well organised. Invites are sent to all meetings and calls meaning we have full visibility of whats coming up and the work we have to do for them. The programme is structured in the way that we are taught units in a certain order to contain what LBG and Learn Direct has agreed is appropriate. The deadlines are agreed however are very flexible. I'm very happy with the organisation and the structure of the programme.

My learning provider - Learn Direct - has been brilliant. Amanda Osborne, my coach, is always on hand if we need any help and is very approachable. She is happy to explain any material that may not make sense straight away and sends us all lots of material to assist us through our assignments. We are provided with thorough feedback which really helps to boost our grades when we send in our final drafts.

My employer, LBG, has also been very supportive. I am given time out of my daily role to complete any work needed, and am given Mondays as a Study from Home day. My Line Manager has full visibility of the course and I also have a mentor, which is a fellow manager in the MU department. I therefore feel like I have support from many different angles and feel as though I can speak up if I ever need any more time or support within the programme. It is just the promotion element that I think could be a little better supported. The apprenticeship really promotes progression and brands itself as a way to really fasttrack your career. I am a competant member of the team at work and meet all my productivity and quality targets. I am also way ahead of expectations in my assingments and recieve top grades. I sometimes therefore struggle to see the link between the apprenticeship and my daily role - I am on a programme that assists you in progressing through the business yet I have been put in a role where I cannot progress? I am well aware that apprentices cannot rely on their apprenticeship status to get promotions without working for them, however I am a hard worker and believe I have gone over and beyond the expectations of my employer. I am not saying that I should have been promoted already, or near in the future. I think it would just be a lot more motivating if I had that prospect to work towards eventually.

My salary package does mostly meet my costs. I am on a full wage, however I am aware that I started on the very minimum that I could have been for the role I am in. I have however recived two pay rises sinse being here and a bonus. I am a home owner and find that my wage is just enough to cover the costs of living. I do however look forward to having more disposable income as my career progresses.

I am unsure what this question is asking

Yes

I think LBG really believe in the talents of our generation. They have really invested, both financially and in time, in developing my skills. I find my work place safe and accesible with friendly and supportive colleagues.

Really look into the role you are entering before your first day and impress everyone with your knowledge. Make sure you have good time managements skills to manage your work load and make sure you give the right impressions to those you are working with. Be yourself but be professional! Be prepared to go above and beyond the role outlined in your contract. Doing exta activities will really make you stand out amongst the croud and is good fun to do too. I for example, am a colleague engagement representative.