CICS Projects Apprentice Review

I work in a team called CICS which is involved in the Mainframe of the bank. I help out with creating test environments and testing changes which will be made to the production environment to make sure the bank keeps running with zero, if not minimal issues for the bank and especially for the customer.

I've learnt lots of new skills, including programming, computer architecture, networking, security along with how the mainframe works, and in turn how the bank works. Other skills include, research, networking which was especially prevalent with the apprentice/graduate 'Challenge 2017' event. My knowledge of even Microsoft applications like Word, Publisher, Powerpoint and Excel have improved as I have been able to utilise my current knowledge and apply it to new uses.

I've enjoyed it a lot so far, I've learnt a lot through the company and also through the apprenticeship training. I've met loads of new people and I enjoy the building/location as well. There's plenty to do and plenty to learn and this helps me develop myself inside and outside of work.

I feel very valued and I am given time, help and everything else that I need and when I need it. I am treated far more like a human and an adult here than I have in previous jobs. This gives you even more reason to be respectful in return. Feedback is given to help you understand where you stand as well.

There is minimal pitfalls, and even then, this is improved upon year after year. So any issues with a previous years are taken on board and used to improve the following year. There has only been a very few moments where I felt unorganised and unsure, but this was very easy to resolve due to the strong structure that allowed these issues to be addressed.

Plenty of support is given, from helping you understand what is needed from you, through to the knowledge you need to succeed. Time and help is given to you to complete the training. There is plenty of 1 to 1 visits and they are only ever an email of phone call away between these times.

My line manager has been great with support and has always been very understanding and allows everything necessary to help with the training but to also get on with your day to day role. Currently, I've never felt unsupported from my employer. Any queries and issues I've had have all been easily resolved.

For my travel, living costs and everything else, it is more than enough. Especially considering you are not expected to bear the larger responsibilities of experienced staff members in your team. I drive 10+ miles to work each way each day, sometimes bring in pack/microwave lunches and sometimes eat from the available amenities, still have fun at the weekends and I'm not out of pocket. There is also a great selection of perks/discounts available to staff members as well.

With the skills learnt and networking and everything else available. I certainly imagine so, I'm happy in my current role and have other opportunities separate from finance and even technology, so I concentrate my time outside of work on those. But anyone looking for opportunity outside of work from this experience, I imagine you'll be able to find it.

Yes

I really enjoy working here. Great location, great building (with loads of useful and convenient services, amenities available) , great team/colleagues, I'm learning loads of great things and I can fund my life outside of work, so there's very little (if anything) to complain about.

I applied internally as I worked for RBS at the time, so it may be different from others experiences. But I found being honest, open and showing an enthusiasm for the opportunity was a perfect combination.