Compliance & Operational Risk Apprentice Review

I work in the Financial Crime Prevention Management Office. I provide my line manager with as much support as I can on a day-to-day basis, whilst ensuring that I am on top of my own responsibilities. I regularly attend meetings and after six months at the Bank, I have started to work for multiple stakeholders as I take on more responsibility. My line manager trusts me to work with confidential data and information. I read the daily internal newsletters, attend internal talks and get involved with many volunteering opportunities.

I am learning new things every day! I have developed my ability to problem solve and analyse data through regularly producing information and reports for internal use. I am able to write far more clearly and concisely. Perhaps one of the key aspects that I have developed is my confidence to build and maintain strong working relationships. I often help more senior employees to organise knowledge sharing sessions and communicate with senior management.

I am really enjoying the Risk & Compliance Apprenticeship at UBS. It is a great introduction to the Industry. I feel very motivated when I come to the office each day and excited by the prospect of having a long career at the bank after I pass my qualification. Much focus is placed on career progression also. We are given lots of support on a day-to-day basis.

I think that the programme is very well structured. We are placed in a specific role when we join the bank that we stay in for the duration of the apprenticeship. On a day-to-day basis, I communicate with my line manager who gives me responsibilities and tasks. Despite being in a specific role, we are encouraged to learn about other areas and roles at the bank. When preparing for the exams, we are given sufficient revision time.

We receive a lot of support from UBS. Formally, we have regular progress reviews with HR throughout our apprenticeship. If I were to have a problem or concern, I would know exactly who to speak to, whether it be my line manager, my mentor, HR or fellow colleagues. There are initiatives such as 'Wellness Workshops' that we are able to attend to help apprentices understand and cope with stress and anxiety in the workplace.

I receive loads of support from my training provider. We are provided with a long-term plan/structure of our apprenticeship and from day one, we are told what is expected of us. I have regular 1:1 meetings with my training provider coach to review my progress and ensure that I am on track. I speak with my coach about my revision plan for the exams and the knowledge/skills/behaviours that I must develop in order to pass my apprenticeship.

The qualification focuses on key areas of self-development to ensure that we are prepared for a career in the City. We are developing our knowledge of the Industry and specific risk/compliance requirements to help us perform better in our roles. Much focus is placed on improving our skills and behaviours in the workplace. The training workshops have helped me on a day-to-day basis. For example, the training we undertook to develop our skills in public speaking gave me more confidence to lead meetings myself.

There are plenty of extra-curricular activities to get involved in. There are employee networks where you can meet like-minded colleagues and participate in career development workshops, social events and panel discussions. There are plenty of volunteering opportunities also. As apprentices, we had organized socials so that we were able to get to know each other.

Yes

The apprenticeship scheme at UBS is a great fast-track route into the Industry. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at UBS so far. There is a supportive culture, great importance is placed on collaboration and management is friendly. Employee development is valued and we are provided with plenty of opportunities to progress. UBS want to support young talent and apprentices are a valued group within the organization.

Before applying to the UBS apprenticeship scheme, I did plenty of research. It is important that you explore the UBS website thoroughly. You should know about the firm in general and have a basic understanding of the markets in which it operates. The UBS 'Three Keys' are very important also. I kept up to date with financial news so that I was able to talk about how events/news would affect the area that I applied for. Also, ask appropriate questions and be inquisitive! Ask the managers about their roles and how they work.