Higher Apprentice Review

As part of the consulting apprenticeship program, your first year at the company is spent in internal roles. My current role is within the internal operations of the private cluster, this involves a lot of sales forecasting, specifically using a CRM system called Salesforce. I spend a lot of time using this for data analytics and train Partners/directors on how they can better utilise the tool. As part of my above & beyond, I do some work with recruitment, attending university events to try and get people to join the graduate program. I spend some time on helping to build a community within one of the sectors within private. At the start of the apprenticeship, I was also asked to collect fruit for the private cluster, this no longer happens.

I've now used Excel for the first time in my life, there's a lot of training in powerpoint (slide deck for google) and excel (sheets) which you end up using regularly. I also have been trained as a Salesforce 'coach', which is the Client relationship management tool we use within the firm. As part of the apprenticeship, we have Kaplan skills days, which are all about building your confidence with regular business interactions, eg how you present yourself in meetings. We also have exam courses on the 'Fundamentals in business environment and business'. Lastly, we have higher apprentice development days which usually contains some skills building and talks from partners.

In terms of the work we do - A fantastic way to get into business, I feel like I learn a lot about what it's truly like to work in a business environment, an experience I wouldn't get from university and the work isn't any less than what a graduate would do. In terms of the team - Amazing, really feels like you're fully engaged and an important member of the team. There are regular socials as well. Company culture - This ensures that us higher apprentices at the bottom of the food chain have just as much right to talk in meetings than the partners at the top. The company really utilises everyone, so it's likely there will be a point where you know something/someone that a partner needs to know. Against my expectations - I expected a lot more client facing work, I'm glad this hasn't happened as soon as I wanted as internal work really has built my confidence and given me an opportunity to network. I do really enjoy it, everyday you learn something new, meet someone new but I always feel significant within my team and thanks to the friends group I've made on the program, I don't feel like I'm doing it alone

So there's a 1 week induction, great intro to the program, the people on your course and a breakdown of what you'll be doing. Regular training days as I mentioned earlier, these as relayed to us with at least 3 weeks noticed so we can plan ahead. Support structure is really clear, there's clear layout on who you go to for what support eg career coach, buddy, Relationship leader group. Studying days are pretty clear, you get two days off prior to the exam unless it's on a Monday. Task delegation depends on your team, my team was very reactive to the firms needs so this changed a lot but it kept things interested. Hierarchy within the team is clear but not used, the managers are all on the same level and you work with all of them. We have very support teams to ensure the program is organised

Regular one to one meetings with my manager to discuss my objectives within my role and how Im enjoying it (fortnightly) Career coach meetings, these are the same kind of thing but longer term and can be more focused on where you'd like to be in the future. Buddy system, a higher apprentice from the intake above will set up catch up meetings, these are more informal and are really good for asking Qs in a safe space. Relationship leader group can help to support you based on location, if there's something that affects you because you're in London eg Oyster card apprenticeship discount not working

Not the best, right at the start, the introduction/advising stage was not great, they got all our emails wrong and we were told to set up an hour meeting for a 5 minute conversation which I didn't even get. The tutors are hit & miss, for our course, we have a really engaging tutor who does a great job of teaching and then one not so engaging one that I struggled with. Guidance and support, both tutors are really good at this, can always ask for support. I enjoy learning the topics that weren't covered in business A-level.

Like I said, I feel like a lot that I learned in the apprenticeship, I already got out of my business A-level. It's still good to get out of the work environment to practise this but I wish there was some more higher level Business that could be used within Pwc.

Yes, all of the above, there's every single sports club you can think about, the rugby team just went to Dubai for a rugby tournament within the Pwc network! Plenty of events/activities which you'll get emails for, most provide time for networking afterwards. There's away days/town halls that you'll get invites to with drinks afterwards. We are pretty big on charity initiatives, you get 5 days a year to volunteer, we also have 1 firm 1 day. This is where everyone is encouraged to volunteer.

Yes

For one, having that on your CV is so powerful regardless of where you decide to go afterwards. It doesn't matter what background you have, they don't care about what A levels you have or what degree you studied, they care more about the person you are. This is definitely reflected in the culture. They're big enough to look after the employees but you still feel like you're working in a small company within pwc

Be honest, do your revision on the company, find out what you're really passionate about and reflect this in your interview. Take the time to make an effort with the people around you applying as well, you'll probably run into them again. The process isn't a chance for Pwc to see who the best of the best is so don't treat it like a competition, they want to see how you work as part of a team. Don't try and outshine everyone, try and work with them instead.