Associate Review

I work as an associate within the Engagement Support Centre. Ths role acts as a support network to the service line and involves a diverse day to day role. Tasks can range from organsing and setting up meetings and rebranding powerpoints to completing Budget vs Actuals and completing conflict checks. I am reponsible daily for interacting with my engagement team as part of the project management.

I have developed both new and existing skills since joining Deloitte. As part of an in-depth induction programme I have improved upon my communication skills but also understanding the importance of health and safety. I have completed a number of internal training courses on areas including; Powerpoint, Excel, SAP, BvA, LEAN principle training and Outlook. There are also numerous external and more advanced training opportunities available - all at the request to a dedicated trainer. The skills I have developed have greatly aided myself in settling into my apprenticeship, the support you have at Deloitte is irreplaceable in terms of the confidence it instills.

I throroughly enjoy the programme as it gives an opportunity to develope new skills and achieve qualifications whilst gaining a salary and experience in the work environment. There is a diverse team culture within Deloitte which promotos respect and inclusion, as you are always welcomed into any team. Deloitte has exceeded my expectations within the industry and is the stand out performer within the professional services network. Deloitte places the upmost emphasis on imposing the culture it wants and ensuring its employees follow its code of practice - this creates the perfect environment to learn and flourish.

Even as an entry-level apprentice, I am still acknowleged by the wider team in terms of my contribution on the whole. I have weekly and bi-weekly meetings with my mentor/team-leader who gives feedback on my performance, praising my accomplishments but also giving positive feedback on how you can improve. Deloitte has an invested interested in your career path and will provide the foundation for any direction you wish to travel for your career. From the outset, my tranistion into the team was made smooth as the team instantly involved myself with the work-load and soon this enabled myself to become a sort after individual with the engagement team. The engagement team working in the service line appreciate the support work I provide as it makes their jobs much easier - this has been proven by numerous amounts of feedback I have received.

The entry-level programme with Deloitte is structured perfectly. It is set in stages which are focused on improving the apprentices gradually to support their career. It begins with a basic induction which enables a settling in period whilst convering all the vital information you need to move into your role. This is followed by an additional week of training. These are known as the prepare and train models which has been designed by exisiting Deloitte staff to replicate the exact tasks you would be completing daily but in a training environment. Once per week, I am required to attend college to achieve a level 3 business and administration qualification which is fully supported and funder by Deloitte. Within my team I have numerous points of contact to provide support at any time. Firstly, I am assigned a mentor which will be with me throughout the duration of my apprenticeship, they provide advice on how to be a success and how to conduct yourself. Additionally, on every team there is a senior associate and team leader - these provide more professional advice on all aspects including outside of work.

My qualification study will be based at Cardiff and Vale College. The tutor has many years of experiencing in delivering the programme and has a very high success rate in terms of exam results. The tutors are accessible at all times via both phonecall and email, they conduct 8 week reviews to ensure that you are settling in well at deloitte and that you are on track with your college work (not experiencing any difficulties). I throughougly enjoy my time at college as it proviedes a solid platform from which I can achieve my goals.

I receive continual support not just from my team (in terms of mentor and team leader) but from the whole engagement and support centre who all want to see apprentices flourish. I sit on the same team as my mentor and this makes it very easy to communicate any issues I have both work related and personal. All employees at Deloitte are open and approachable, they will always make time to give you adivce and guidance with your work.

The salary is very generous in comparison to other apprenticeships of this level. Without this salary I would not have been able to leave my previous jobs as this would have left me financially unstable had the apprentice wage been placed at the national minimum. A set salary is also boosted by the potential to earn yearly bonuses in additional to an apprasial which could potentially see your annual salary increased.

Deloitte is a very social company which is a major benefit to anyone who enjoys an active social life - this promotes a healthy work-life balance. Departments often hold social events on a monthly basis. this is in additional to apprentice and team meals you get to attend on a quarterly basis - all funded by deloitte. There are opportunties to get involved with Deloitte's one million futures charity, going into schools to promote Deloitte's apprentice programme and participate in company acitivies.

Yes

Deloitte provides the opportunity to gain a long-term career with the potential to move onto more advanced qualifications at the end of each apprenticeship stage. They provide a competitive salary where your effort and success will reflect in your wage. You are treated fairly and equally to all other employess regardless of your lenghth of service, you are judged on merit, not who you are.

For the application process, it is very important to prepare adequately and conduct as much research on the industry and Deloitte as possible. If you manage to get to the interview stage then you should be confident in your own ability, you need to bring this to the interview. Be open to sharing your ideas and working within a team unit - bring others into conversations and express your personality. The on-boarding process is designed to aid apprentices in the best way possible; conform to the security watchdog demands and answer any questions honestly - any dishonest answers will be found out as the invesitagion is thorough. Before my assessment days, I would have liked to have been told how enjoyable the process can be and that the interview should not be feared as the interviewer wants you to succeed.