Assistant Apprentice Review

I carry out the role of an Assistant Relationship Manager. My main role is to assist the relationship managers in their work and day to day tasks. On a daily basis I am booking meetings for the RM, going out on customer meetings with them, dealing with financial and management accounts, answering customer queries, assisting in our team projects along with a number of other jobs. I interact with various teams within the bank on a daily basis to get my daily tasks done and I am regularly engaging with our bank customers as I am in a customer facing role. We have a number of projects that are ran in our team and I like to take an active part in as many as I can, being involved with a manufacturing display, leading our records management movement etc.

I have gained my professional bankers certificate. I am well on my way to completing my level 3 in providing financial services. I have developed massively on my customer service skills and can communicate much more effectively than I've been able to before with internal and external people. I've learnt many different things about banking and how banking works, the different facilities we offer and the different areas of banking.

I enjoy the team in which I work within, everyone I have come across working for the bank has been pleasant and kind and made my programme more enjoyable. The work pushes and challenges me and this is something I enjoy as it means my skills are being put to the test and forever improving. It met my expectations well. the company which I work for is very good to its employees in my opinion, I feel as though I am treated the best I possibly can be. I enjoy my programme

I feel that my hard work shows and is appreciated by my manager, my efforts do not go unnoticed within my team and this makes me feel like a valuable member of the team. When I am dealing with customers and they say how much of a help I've been, I feel like they value me and if I can keep customers happy then RBS will definitely value me too as the customer service is their priority. My involvement in team projects is also always recognised and my efforts that I put in are always picked up on, I feel as though I am seen as a valuable asset on the projects I take part in

At the beginning, we had a two day induction programme. I feel this was beneficial as it allowed us to know what our apprenticeship would consist of. The days were set out and organised well and I feel they went smoothly and were very enlightening. The training part of my programme I think could have had a bit more structure to it. there was no set programme and I didn't know what I'd be learning from one day to the next. the studying part of the programme was more organised. I was allocated half a day a week to study, I was notified in advance of when my online lessons would be and because of this structure I was able to work to a set out plan, making it much better. My meetings with my apprentice assessor were also always set out in advance, and we would always talk about what we were going to discuss beforehand so I had all relevant information with me when the time for the meeting came. The team hierarchy was clear and concise from the start of my programme so I understand the structure from the very early stages. At times, my programme was well organised but at other times it was not.

My tutor and I have a set out meeting/review once a month, she makes it clear that she is available to me whenever I need her help, so I know if I'm ever stuck with anything or need her help/advice I can just ring her or text her and she will help me in any way she can. I appreciate this greatly. My tutor never makes any problem seem too small or any question silly, she has a great attitude towards supporting me through my apprenticeship. I am enjoying it.

My manager gives me as much support as I need but also allows to me to carry on with my work independently. I think this is a good way to work. I also know that the apprenticeship team is there if I should ever need them or need their help with something. I know where all my support lies and how to access it and I feel as though there is always at least one person available to me should I need any support. Everyone approaches me with a good attitude and makes me feel as though my problems and concerns matter, something I appreciate very much.

My salary is enough to cover my costs when I budget. I cannot complain as it covers my travel costs and the location is very good. It meets my needs as I still live with parents but I could see myself struggling very much should I look to move out on my current salary so this is not something I can currently consider.

The company does hold many events which I am made aware of, but often the location is not ideal at all and is not possible for me to attend. However when my team holds events I am often invited to these and show an interest in them such as fraud seminars, networking events. RBS plays an active part in working for the community and charities and this is something I would like to get involved with given the chance as I know there are some opportunities out there. they are also very supportive of employees doing voluntary work and allow separate holiday allocation for this work to be done.

Yes

They are good employers. They look after their staff and make you feel comfortable in your position. I feel like a valued member and its clear the staff well being is of great importance to the bank. They offer so many opportunities not just within the banking sector and they let you have different experiences you would not be able to have elsewhere.

Just always try your hardest. If you give everything you do your best efforts then you will get to where you want to be. The application process my seem long and you may feel like your chances are slim but you never know unless you try. For interviews and assessment days, preparation is key, if you do not prepare than you will not be successful. It does take a while to become fully on board in terms of accessing all the systems getting your pay/tax right, but just be patient and all will get sorted, you must speak up if you have any concerns or aren't sure of anything.