Apprentice PM/BA Review

Junior BA/PM. Daily tasks include working on 2 projects within a programme. Helping with creation of documents for said projects and also helping with day-to-day activities such as changes and project meetings. Also take minutes for weekly meetings and boards. Created project updates document that must be updated weekly - I look after this updating.

I have completed the first part of the apprenticeship and achieved a certificate for IT professionals level 6. I have also began a cloud computing online course in order to help further my experience of technology within the bank. I feel as though my general IT skills have improved during my time here, I am more proficient with my use of excel and word especially.

Although I was put into an are that I did not want to be in I feel as though my time here has went ok. I don't feel as though I am getting enough work however and I am still frustrated that I was put into an area I did not want and then could not get a move to a more technology focussed role. The company tries its best to ensure that the people have a very good work/life balance and I feel as though they do genuinely care for my wellbeing.

I'm not sure if I feel very valued here. As mentioned above I have struggled somewhat to get work given to me, often times resulting in me having to continually ask if there is anything I can help out with. The managers here do try there best to help but as it is a very busy field that they work in it is sometimes difficult to find the time. The tasks that I have been given have resulted in very good feedback and recognition for my good work which is good.

I do not believe that this apprenticeship was well structured at all. As mentioned above I was put into an area that I did not want to be placed in. Before I started I was asked what role I would like, I responded asking for a list of potential roles and was told that they didn't know what roles were available for apprentices. I then asked to be put in a more technical role and I feel as though this was ignored. The support for training and studying is very good, we are given plenty of time to work towards our qualifications by the bank. The mentor system has been beneficial and the weekly catch ups with managers have been helpful also.

My current advisor has been very good. He is very well organised and always puts his training sessions across in a very well organised and easy to understand way. He is a very busy man but still manages to see me and give me adequate support in between our learning week blocks. He makes sure I understand everything that is being asked of me and how best to handle certain tasks required for the qualification.

I feel as though the bank really does try and support me throughout my apprenticeship, as stated above the make sure that we have plenty time to work on our apprenticeship tasks within the office in order to gain the most out of the RBS experience. I was assigned a mentor who I feel as though I can talk to about certain issues that are bothering me within my role or even if I just have some questions about a piece of work that I am doing. My manager regularly meets me for weekly 121s and is usually quite helpful.

I am paid more than enough money to meet my living costs. I feel as though the wage I earn is very fair and I don't feel as though I am struggling to get by when it comes to money.

There are many opportunities outside of work that the bank definitely tries to advertise. We all get allocated time to undertake voluntary activities. There are also social events that are organised outside of work in order to catch up with colleagues and just generally have a chat that isn't about work. There are also offers for the gym that is right next to the offices on campus - these again are very well advertised and the facilities are more than adequate.

Yes

I feel overall it is a very good place to work. RBS cares about its employees and tries to make sure that all employees have the greatest work/life balance that they possibly can. Working from home days are encouraged and there is a whole host of wellbeing pages that can be found on the intranet site. The pay is very good and it is very good to know that you are a part of a business that is moving in the right direction and really values its customers along with its employees. Everyone is very helpful and it is generally a good place to work.

Do some research into the roles, state what sort of preference you have and try and be as specific as possible. Maybe keep pushing for access to a list of roles/areas that will be available for new joiners to the bank. In terms of interviews make sure you research the banks history, as much of the biggest breakthroughs as possible in the banks history and make sure you go into the interview with these notes and be sure to use them, show how much you have prepared. During the induction days ask questions, again this could be about potential roles but also just general questions. I would have liked to have been given more of an option when it came to the sort of area and role I would be taking on when I joined. Although I think this process has been bettered since I first joined it will still be important that you state exactly what your interests are and what sort of work you would like to undertake.