Transaction Processing Specialist Review

My role involves keeping up to date and accurate records of incoming items. My main BAU role is to process transactions. It is vital that I have to keep a 99% accuracy rate due to our turn around being 24 hours. I solve internal queries, meaning I have communications with teams globally. I complete weekly audit tasks meaning that I personally raise internal queries to ensure that our external clients are getting the best possible service.

I have developed my organisational skills massively. Being able to prioritise items is a huge part of my role, as there are always such high volumes. I have also developed my people skills and how to handle stressful work place environments professionally. Something I am still working on is my communication. Having to communicate with senior members of staff can be quite nerve-racking to me still, so by putting myself in these positions more often I am trying to improve this.

I have enjoyed the programme in terms of the opportunity. I do not believe I would have been able to get into such a respected organisation without the apprenticeship programme. I think that the exams and the standards of organisation surrounding this wasn't the best. There were often times when I felt uninformed and as if it wasn't representative of what I signed up for. However, my team have been very supportive. I feel as though I have always been treated as a full time member of staff and never just the apprentice. I have always been given just as much opportunity as anyone else in my team. Being an apprentice has given me some exposure that I feel like I wouldn't have got otherwise which is great.

I feel very appreciated by my team. I have received several recognition awards and prizes for my hard work and dedication over the last year and a half. I have gained some important responsibilities and get told often by senior members of staff that they can rely on me which is something I am proud of.

We had a good induction to our apprenticeship, containing overviews and a game which showed how some areas of the business works. Some of these things have resonated in my role which has been helpful. I personally really struggled with the learning side of things, and I feel as though even though the support was there - the quality wasn't that great. I only ever really got tips and advice, there was no actual learning support eg tutors available that could have helped me on a 1:1 basis. I found that often there wasn't a clear communication of exam deadlines and lecture changes - so I wasn't massively impressed with the organisation of the programme. The team have always been very supportive and always available for advice and talks whenever needed.

I had a call every month with my learning provider - however I didn't feel as though it was very beneficial. It was good in terms of them keeping regular communications between us and my work manager but it would have been much more helpful again if I could have had a tutor. They replied to any email queries normally on time and it was generally quite easy to know where to direct any questions to. Most of the information I needed to find was on the learning platform website, however this wasn't the easiest place to navigate. The attitude of the team was always wanting the best for you and trying to be as helpful as possible - I couldn't fault them personally.

My manger is extremely helpful and understanding. I moved in order to take part in the apprenticeship and do not know anyone in this area. They have been so supportive with me living on my own for the first time as well as learning a new role. The HR team have been beyond helpful too. They have always been available during weekends and evenings to help with any problems outside of work too. The general attitude I have felt from my team has been to try and give me the best opportunity to do well as possible. Due to high volumes and short staff I don't think they were able to achieve this as much as they wanted to but I believe that they genuinely tried.

I rented a flat for the first 6 months which wasn't in a safe area. Once I moved to a safer area my pay package only just covered my rent. Being able to socialise went down massively after this. I am really glad that I had more of my salary to spend on going out in the first 6 months as this meant that I was able to create a support network and really strong group of friends.

There are often events for Apprentices and Grads to mix so that you are able to build your network. There are a few voluntary initiatives that we are able to participate in. This is also a really positive way to network and looks great on our internal CVs. The location of Bournemouth is a student town which I found to be helpful as there were a lot of similar aged students my age. I have got a different friendship group outside of work that I can socialise with now.

Yes

I think that they offer really great opportunities and genuinely want to help and facilitate as many young starts careers as possible. They provide great benefits such as life insurance and local discounts. I also believe that they have some really positive initiatives that they are promoting and have some great ethical beliefs.

For the application process I would say to honestly just be your self. There isn't one type of person that they are looking to employ and having been on several of the interview days for new apprentices it is quite obvious when people aren't being themselves. I would say to trust yourself and what you believe is correct. Also to take every opportunity that you are given when you first start, as it could turn into something really positive. I would also so to network as much as possible as it is so valid when people say its who you know not what you know. This is extremely relevant when later on it comes to mobility.