Apprentice - Technology Resiliency Management Review

I work in the Global Resiliency team for CIB (Corporate & Investment Bank), looking at application resiliency. My specific team within this work on business-as-usual activities, rather than project work, and this includes gaining and maintaining compliance by working with line-of-business specific resiliency managers as well as the application production teams. We are responsible for a number of reports, some to the lines of business, others to senior management. My personal responsibilities include creating reports on past and future tests, a weekly status report for all projects, answering questions and queries and ensuring all applications are fully prepared for upcoming resiliency tests.

I have developed a lot over the past 18 months, in both my technical ability and soft skills. As well as our apprenticeship qualification, through which I have passed 3 CISI exams, I have greatly improved my skill in Microsoft Excel even so much as learning some Visual Basic and creating macros and code. I have also become a better presenter. Public speaking was something I had done in the past, so to be able to continue to develop this skill is something I am glad I have been able to do.

Before I started the apprenticeship, I had never really considered anything other than university for a post-school experience. However, I do believe that it's the best choice I could have made, and I enjoy it immensely. I am very lucky to work in a team of really great people, and also to have been offered so many extra-curricular opportunities, whether those are related to schools and careers events or charity work or even social events.

I think J.P.Morgan is very good at valuing its apprentices. It is clear from as early as the interview process that the managers and employees enjoy having enthusiastic young learners around because they add a different perspective and are eager to learn and develop. There are a number of ways I feel recognized, through verbal praise, to being included in projects and being given more independence and responsibilities within the team.

The Financial Services apprenticeship at J.P.Morgan is very well organized from the firm's perspective. The Schools' Team who run it are excellent at making sure you are doing well generally, as well as being supported within your team. I have a very supportive team who fully respect my requirements to study and revise. There are gaps of course, where some people have had better experiences than others, and uncertainty around a couple of parts of the qualification, but this is nothing that can be changed at present and I feel lucky to have had such a great experience so far.

BPP are very accessible when needed. The feedback we get on written coursework is timely, considering the number of students being supported, and offers good guidance. It is good to know that if I do have a question, the tutors are readily available to offer help.

J.P.Morgan is a very supportive firm. I know there are many different people I can talk to if I have a problem, from the Schools' Team, my manager or team, other apprentices etc. I would have no problem finding an answer to a question or issue I was having due to the wide range of options available and the general feeling of both openness combined with a respect for privacy.

Due to being able to live at home, my costs are lower than many other apprentices. I find my salary perfectly adequate, and it is enabling me to save substantial amounts for the future. The benefits packages offered by J.P.Morgan are excellent too, and as an apprentice you are still eligible, which is fantastic. Bournemouth is an expensive place to live, but I have found the salary excellent, and we won't have any student debt at the end of it!

The company are very active in the local community and so there are lots of events available there, such as charity work which all apprentices are expected to get involved in, such as the Round the Island Race. Internally, there are lots of events and the involvement of apprentices in these is always gratefully received and valued. Living at home, I have been able to continue with my previous hobbies and leisure activities, such as going to the gym and dance classes, which are close to work and remain easily accessible.

Yes

I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with the company so far. Coming from a very academic background, it was always expected that I would go to university. However, I believe that not going, and instead doing an apprenticeship with J.P.Morgan was the best decision I could have made. I have learnt a lot, both in terms of knowledge and personal development, and feel confident and happy about the future.

It is a long application process, but I found that the longer it goes on the more invested in it you become. Try to become acquainted with the company as much as possible beforehand, both by research and getting involved with J.P.Morgan, such as careers events or work experience because that will really give your application a boost.