Portfolio Manager Review

My job role is entitled Portfolio Management and I deal with SMEs (small medium enterprises) and their lending facilities. One of my responsibilities on a day to day basis is to contact customers and managers in respect to a customer who has gone overdrawn and needs to adjust their account. General admin jobs such as answering internal or external queries via telephone are also included. There is also potential for going out with the managers to meet with their customers.

I am currently studying towards the Professional Banking Certificate (PBC) and will also receive Certificate in Providing Financial Services once I have fully completed my apprenticeship. There are several opportunities to obtain more qualifications after the apprenticeship, for example I will be studying towards the Lending Certificate after my apprenticeship. There are also several internal training courses, I have recently been to London for a Capital & Transaction management course which is vital to my role. I have learnt a lot from working at RBS and doing an apprenticeship, I have developed many skills and have had the opportunity to begin working in a real life environment that I can contribute to whilst studying for my qualifications.

I am really enjoying the apprenticeship programme, the team I am currently working in made me feel comfortable straight away and are always ready to answer any questions or concerns that I have. The bank as a whole has a very positive culture and approach towards apprentices, and has organised many events for the apprentices to get to know one another but also for apprentices to learn about the individual departments within the bank. I didn't realise the amount of help and support both the bank and the training provider would give me, the apprenticeship scheme has definitely met my expectations.

As said previously, from the moment I attended my induction in October I felt valued as an apprentice. I am constantly being told by various managers/directors at events that we are the future of this bank and how well we have done to be where we are today. RBS is keen to get as many apprentices involved in different tasks and projects within the bank, for example, I have become an RBS advocate which involves participating in Careers fairs and speaking to school/college leavers to encourage the apprenticeship scheme.

I had 2 induction days in London and they were structured so that we,as new apprentices, understood the type of work we would be doing and how the bank works as a whole. We were also helped with networking sessions at the induction which helped to break the ice between apprentices. Soon after the induction each apprentice received an Individual Learning Plan which outlined the various training webinars that I would need to attend in order to pass my exam. Each apprentice is also assigned an individual assessor who you have monthly catch ups with and is also always available to answer any questions you may have about the apprenticeships.

The training webinars were very helpful and helped you to understand the study text clearly. Apprentices from various offices attended these webinars which allowed us to ask each other questions about the apprenticeship programme but also to get to know one another. Also, as it was alive session, the assessor conducting the webinar was able to stop and explain a certain subject more clearly if one of us did not understand it which really helped. The training provider also encourages us to ask them any questions we have in relation to our course and will always get back to you as soon as possible. So far I am really enjoying my apprenticeship programme.

My manager has been really positive towards helping me out with any concerns or problems that I have had, and has always supported me by giving me extra time to study or by always being ready to answer any questions I have. My manager was also my office mentor which means she is always helping me understand how to do the work but also allowing me to learn how to do it myself. I have felt that the general attitude towards supporting me in my job role has been very positive.

As I started my apprenticeship straight after school the salary definitely meets my costs. As a young person I don't have many obligations that I need to worry about; I am able to pay rent to my parents each month, save enough for a car and still have enough money for social activities. Overall I would say the wages are a 9/10!

As I have said before, RBS is keen to get apprentices involved in many activities. I have had the opportunity to speak to people who have not yet chosen which course of education they want to go down and encourage them to consider apprenticeships. Also, RBS arranges voluntary charity events which I have been able to attend in surrounding local areas.

Yes

RBS have really welcomed me as an apprentice and made me feel valued. I am contributing to a team and working as well as studying towards professional qualifications. There is also many opportunities to develop your career in the banking industry. I think the experience you overall get and the people you meet is really good and what any young person needs.

Be prepared. Research RBS and find out about its aims, values and plans for the future. I had to complete a telephone interview as well as a face-to-face interview, however RBS gave plenty of warning about when these would be and what we would need to know or should think about in order to participate successfully in the interviews. The application process may seem like a lot, but you just need to out in a small amount of time and effort and you will be successful.