Business Support Assistant Review

My day-to-day role involves providing support to the producing brokers within my department (Aerospace Reinsurance). This role usually consists of drafting the contracts, emailing the client and reinsurers and producing analytical work. My role is very compliance orientated as I need to gain specific sign off before I send quotes, confirmation of status/cover and evidence of cover. Also, I may need to go personally meet underwriters at Lloyd's or in their own office in order to gain their signature to an insurance contract or endorsement.

Yes, I have learned many new skills on computer applications such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint. Since working at Willis Towers Watson I have improved on writing emails and can appear more professional with the choice of language I use. Furthermore, I have developed existing skills such as organisation and punctuality.

I very much enjoy working at Willis Towers Watson and the support provided by the Apprenticeship programme is excellent. The external service provider (The Skills Company, formerly The Growth Company) provide fantastic support for the Diploma CII exams and they have a structured plan for the Apprentice's development throughout the 2-3 year course.

The Apprenticeship programme is structured well with The Skills Company as they provide regular exam workshops, which occur roughly every three weeks. Since this is the first ever Apprenticeship programme for Willis Towers Watson in London, the time frame for the Apprenticeship continuously changes from 2-3 days so us Apprentices aren't always sure of what is expected of us.

Willis Towers Watson is very supportive and always ensures that you will be given many opportunities throughout your career - as well as pay for all of your qualifications during the Apprenticeship scheme and after. For example, I have been given the opportunity to work in the Willis Towers Watson office in Munich for a week to work with one of our colleagues who is based in Munich. This was a fantastic experience for me and allowed me to prove my independence and reliance within my team.

The training provider (The Skills Company) are very useful and our mentor ([This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions]) really did inspire all of the Apprentices to pass their exams. The Skills Company provided regular workshops for each exam and also tested our competence with each exam because of activities like end of chapter exams.

The Dip CII qualification, that our training provider is assisting us to achieve, has helped me to understand more of a general background to insurance as a whole - rather than the individual sector of insurance that I specialise in. LM1 and LM2 helped me to understand the other types of insurance and in a general sense, how they worked. M92 allowed me to understand the corporate structures available in the business and insurance and M05 allowed me to develop an understanding of the law aspect of contracts and insurance, and how this could affect what I do day-to-day.

Yes, Willis Towers Watson have many sporting activities - such as a football team and many other gym related activities (e.g. running) since there is a gym located within the Willis Towers Watson facilities. Willis Towers Watson also host various charitable events throughout the year, which you have the choice to get involved in. Also, there are a lot of discussions/talks hosted in Lloyd's on a regular basis to learn from market leading individuals and understand their thoughts on certain market aspects.

Yes

It is a large global company that provides employees with lots of opportunities to; develop their learning through exams or attending market-wide discussions on modern topics, and travel to work in the international offices or meet clients. Willis Towers Watson is an insurance market leader and all colleagues are understood as to being some of the most experienced insurance professionals in the world, therefore you can always learn from the people around you.

When applying on the Apprenticeship programme you must carefully read the requirements that Willis Towers Watson have stated in their specification. You must ensure that you have/can obtain the qualification requirements that Willis Towers Watson need you to have, for example a B in Economics at A Level. Furthermore, you should think of examples of when you have proved specific skills (e.g. when you solved a complex problem to benefit your customer). Another important piece of advice is to make sure that you learn about Willis Towers Watson as a company (e.g. who they are, what do they do, the history of the company, the values that they incorporate). Lastly, it is good practice to apply for Apprenticeships elsewhere so that you are prepared and have experience when you have to attend the Assessment Centre stage at Willis Towers Watson - because this can be quite daunting.