Business Apprenticeship Review

I work in the Payment Operations department of the bank helping to run the bank. I work closely assisting the head of payments and business analyst's helping to manage change within the bank.

I have learnt new professional skills that come with training for the job role such as using the systems/working round back office but I have also developed my personal skills such as people skills, time management and confidence due to the fast paced work environment that I work in.

I do really enjoy my programme. It has met and exceeded expectations as I thought I would of been sat in an office all day, entering data, but it is completely different, I am always meeting new people and every day is different, I have even been given the option to travel with work, which is a good opportunity. At first the work load was very slow and little so I found myself with nothing to do sometimes, but this has now changed and I am given a lot more responsibility.

I do feel valued by RBS. I am always being recognised verbally by my manager and team and its nice to know your work is important and you do add value to the business.My manager and team all took the time to get to know me, I have never just felt like the 'apprentice', from day 1 my new manager started, she has tried to get me involved with all projects/tasks to help me gain knowledge.

All apprentices started with a 2 day induction, this was good as you got to meet everyone else who was starting and you are all in the same position. In order to train for my role, we get sat with a 'buddy' and had to shadow them so we could watch what they did and learn from that. I had and still have a support meeting every week with my manager, we will go through what I am expected to do this week/if I need any extra support etc. I also have a monthly meeting with my course assessor over the phone, he is very helpful and has supported me from the start. There is a clear, set learning planned that is in a timetable all the way up to when I complete my apprenticeship. Only bad thing I have to say about organisation of the programme is I have been given the wrong times for exams meaning I have turned up late to an exam and another time I have arrived at an exam to be told that my assessor hasn't even booked it, but apart from this everything else seems well structured.

I receive a lot of support from my training provider, we are all given an assessor who we have monthly calls with to discuss my progress/next steps and he also marks my assignments and sends back feedback. All emails are replied to very quick and always able to answer my queries. Would sometimes be nice to have a face to face meeting to be able to put a face to a name but overall, very supportive

I receive a lot of support from my employer they are very understanding and flexible when it comes to my learning. I can choose when I want to do my apprenticeship and they would allow me extra time etc if I needed it. Always having 1-2-1's with my manager and receive emails from HR also to see if they can improve anything.

Great. After paying for my train ticket, gym, car, phone bills I am left over with more than enough to cover daily/social costs which means I am also able to save. I still live at home so I am not sure what my wage would be like if I was looking to move out, but so far it is great and higher than most apprenticeships.

Yes loads of opportunities to network - charity nights, apprentice nights and YBA awards etc.

Yes

Well known company, you are really looked after, lots of opportunities to expand and build your career.

Do a lot of research on the role you are applying for, to make sure its right for you. Think out of the box at interviews to really stand out and ask lots of questions whilst you are training.