T&O Apprentice Review

Job Title: Data Analyst Daily Tasks: I do not have a fixed day to day role as such, which I thoroughly enjoy, yet in my role I am able to cover copious amounts of data activities from querying databases, to constructing automated testing scripts. Daily Interactions Internal/External: Currently I am in a agile project, meaning that all my internal interactions are within the team. Responsibilities: In my role I am not treated as an apprentice but as an equal in the team, which reflects on my role and responsibilities to help produce meaningful MI (Management Intelligence), to be provided to my stakeholders.

Prior to becoming an apprentice at Santander, I had a lack of technological background, yet through my academic studies on the degree side of the apprenticeship, coupled with on the job learning, I have been able to pick up various coding languages as well as understand the businesses internal infrastructure and networking capabilities. Furthermore within Santander, I have been encouraged to participate in regularly occurring training sessions to improve my understanding and learning around my current role.

I feel as though my programme is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to multiple areas of a highly regarded company. Coupled with the work that I am tasked to do being beneficial not only for the business but also my own personal development within the programme. I also enjoy the company's culture, as coming from a non technical background, a variety of resources can be obtained to aid in your personal development within the programme.

A cliché for apprentices is to 'make tea and coffee', yet this statement is completely disregarded by Santander, because of the work that is given and responsibilities enforced on you from the very beginning. The collaborative culture in which Santander embodies also means that you are an email away from getting the assistance needed to complete a task, which shows that people are willing to take time to help go through tasks you are unsure about.

The programme structure involves an apprentice initially rotating around the business, which enables you to gain an understanding of the end to end processes of the bank and from different perspectives. Furthermore, this also enables you to gain a plethora of skills that can be transferred from each placement. Regular training and support from team members is always encouraged to ensure you maximise your understating and to ensure the completion of tasks to a professional standard.

To go along with the predefined lecture times, all tutors are able to answer questions in an ad-hoc basis, which provides another layer of support when struggling with a subject. Furthermore the training provider often relates topics to a business perspective so that each module can be manipulated to fit a business function, which creates an underlying foundation for majority of the business areas.

As an apprentice, support is given in abundance. This is through being assigned a line-manager and apprentice manager, who both are able to provide invaluable support to aid in personal development. This can be through organising training sessions or advising how to approach tasks based on their own experiences. Furthermore the HR team provide substantial level of support and are incredibility useful to help answer any general queries or help with any problems currently being experienced in the role.

The location in where I work, means that I am able to remain living with my parents, which provides the opportunity to start saving for my own property as well as other items such as a Car. The salary I feel meets my requirements as it allows me to build my own independence, and supports my daily and living costs.

The collaborative culture that Santander embodies also transfers to the outside of work opportunities available. This includes sport activates such as Football. As well as this, due to Santander being of Spanish origin, many stuff members internally offer to run Spanish lessons outside of work which is incredibly useful. Santander also offers the chance to help the community in which it is placed, an example of this, is my cohort of apprentices was able to help build a garden at a local primary school.

Yes

I would highly recommend Santander to a friend, as the opportunities that are available allow you to build your knowledge from the ground up, as shown by my experience of being form a non-technical background, to now technology being an integral part of my day to day experiences. Furthermore working at Santander enables you to gain critical business skills and copious opportunities to help develop yourself and the business.

Advice that I would give to people applying for Santander would be to be honest throughout the application process, answering questions to the best of your own capabilities. Furthermore the I advice that you research around the role you are applying for, to enable you gain an understanding of what activities will occur in your role.