Customer Service Adviser Review

My role was to assist customers when they came into our branch. This could involve transferring sums of cash into their bank account, transferring it from their account to another or even dealing with any complaints they may have. Usually my role was to advise them with any queries they may have, for example helping them to set up a new savings account.

I have always enjoyed maths but working in this environment has definitely helped to improve that greatly. This is because you are always having to think on your feet to give the customer the fast response they are looking for. Not only has my mathematics skills improved but also my customer service and people skills. The apprenticeship helped me to talk to customers with confidence.

I enjoyed the programme very much as I was able to earn a living, learn new skills, work for a company I liked as well as meeting great colleagues along the way. There are times of course where I'd have to deal with a difficult customer but I felt it only made me a better employee by the end.

it was very well organised. I worked on four days of the week and was on day-release at college every Wednesday. The college was very helpful as they didn't allow college work to overlap with my normal working duties. They also made it clear what i would be working towards each month and where I'd near to be by each milestone.

My employer gave me a lot of support, especially at the beginning of the apprenticeship when I initially found it quite challenging. My employer made it less difficult for me by breaking things down into more bitesize, manageable chunks. They then allowed me to stand on my own two feet when I was ready.

As previously mentioned, the training provider was very supportive. They helped me to plan my work out into a suitable time frame that wouldn't overlap with my everyday working duties/responsibilities. My weekends were also free as they didn't swamp me with tasks to complete outside of my college, off-the job, training hours.

Earning the qualification gave me the knowledge I needed as well as the understanding of how to implement that into my average working day. There were various different sectors ranging from customer service to account management. The qualification allowed me to be fully prepared for every task I was heading into. Moreover, the qualification is recognised nationally and allows me to work elsewhere should I choose to.

We run social events on certain occasions, for example on birthdays and around the Christmas period; these are always well-planned and enjoyable. There was also many opportunities for extra-curricular training in the form of off-the-job training courses. Lastly, although we didn't have a sporting team, we regularly arranged to play Badminton together at our local leisure centre.

Yes

I would recommend an apprenticeship at Barclays because of the opportunities it gave me and the clear progression route laying ahead. The qualifications along with the experience obtained will allow me to work at any branch in the country and gives me the opportunity to work abroad also should I choose to in the future. On top of that my colleagues were always really supportive making the working day less stressful.

Don't be overwhelmed at how difficult it may seem. It definitely gets more manageable by the end of the apprenticeship as you'll have the skills/experience to deal with the average work of a day. Furthermore, don't be afraid to ask for help as your colleagues/line managers will be happy to do so and it's the training providers duty to ensure you are supported.