User Access On-boarding Analyst Review

In my current role, I work as a User Access On-Boarding Analyst in where I lead and facilitate projects aimed with simplifying the way system access is managed for numerous areas across the bank. I work closely with a range of different stakeholders and colleagues across the UK, India and Poland. I use Outlook, Excel and Word every single day to communicate, analyse data and produce reports and guides for my stakeholders. My team have three meetings every week where we discuss our aims for the week, challenges we may face and more.

I passed my advanced level apprenticeship in October 2017 which helped me gain skills and knowledge in business admin procedures and project management. At RBS, there are several internal training courses you can sign yourself up for which are aimed at improving your technical skills, project management, the way you network, your communications skills and more. I have strongly developed the way I communicate with people and manage projects. Project management was something I never thought I'd have the opportunity to do before starting the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship has given me transferable skills which I can take into my next challenge in my career.

The programme was enjoyable as I had constant support from other apprentices and my line manager. My line manager was great in focusing on what I needed to improve, such as my presentational skills, and ensuring I became more confident in these areas. The people at RBS are helpful and kind and the culture is very honest, open and supportive which makes for a good environment for young people like myself. I passed every exam and assignment by dedicating time to my studies, both at work and at home, allowing me to finish the programme successfully. I met my expectations well as I went in to the programme wanting to gain experience in the workplace and the qualification, which is exactly what I have achieved.

My line manager always made me feel welcome and put trust in me to complete demanding tasks. My manager pushed me out my comfort zone and supported me in the mistakes I made knowing that it would only improve my skills and knowledge as I progressed. There are internal recognition procedures such as ovations and rewards for hard work you show. Despite going through a period of job insecurity, RBS always ensured that apprentices were cared for and found a suitable role to move us into, which, for me personally, has helped open more avenues and opportunities for development.

The programme was organised well. You are given an assessor who monitors your progress every month and acts as a point of contact for any support you require throughout the apprenticeship. At the start of the programme, you have a two day induction in London where you meet other apprentices in the same boat as you from across the country. I feel the programme could have been co-ordinated better at times as there were certain issues I found with BPP (the apprenticeship providers) in terms of the co-ordination from people within the company, the resources it used such as the VLE, the way your work was marked and more. But overall, the programme has taught me a lot and given me many opportunities for development which is the whole purpose of it.

I received monthly reviews from my assessor and he was always approachable for any concerns, queries or issues I had involving the apprenticeship. I always felt that my assessor genuinely cared about me and the progression I was making which made the programme feel more valuable to me. You are able to build a rapport with your assessor which makes the programme feel less stressful and more achievable.

My line manager was always supportive with my work by offering her advise and guidance mainly on project management and presentational skills - two areas which are focused on strongly by the programme. Without my line manager's support, I would have never felt as comfortable with the programme as I did. There is a HR team always around at RBS for any concerns you may have, not just with the apprenticeship but with work life, personal life or anything else.

The salary you receive is plenty. All of my costs were covered well with enough to enjoy a social life, afford holidays abroad and more.

There are always events going on at RBS which you can sign up for. Networking events are especially useful for broadening and raising your profile for progression. RBS also like to focus on helping the community, which you can get involved in. At the building I work at (Southend), there are sports facilities such as a gym and football pitches which can always be used.

Yes

The programme provides the experience and knowledge I wanted to gain going into it two years ago. I have finished the programme with a permanent job where I still learn every day. The opportunities I have gained at RBS have helped strengthen my CV massively, which makes me feel more confident going forward in my career as I continue to look to develop.

Be yourself in the interviews. The apprenticeship is designed to give you the experience you want to gain as a young person. If you have honest and likeable attributes, RBS will strongly consider you. Throughout the apprenticeship, never be shy to make mistakes, ask questions and show interest as this is the only way you will learn. Network as much as possible to open up more and more opportunities for your development. RBS is a great place for development and combined with the apprenticeship programme it makes for an extremely helpful experience in your progression.