Technology Apprentice Review

I currently work within the debit cards application support team. My role within the team is mainly to monitor transaction volumes and time outs, I add these figures to various spreadsheets and forward them to my team. I sometimes get involved with incidents and try to help resolve these. I also complete my apprenticeship course work throughout the week at times where I have little work.

I have learnt some new skills, the main one being the use of mainframe and how to navigate and search for specific data that is required within my role. I have also developed a good level of excel skills as I have to use spreadsheets most days and send them out as reports to my team and other stakeholders within the business. I do not feel I have received much on the job training or external training to help me with my day to day role. the majority of skills I have learnt have been from shadowing team members or self taught from the internet.

I do not enjoy my apprenticeship programme at all. It has been very unprofessional, poorly organised and the course work does not relate to or help me do my job within RBS. I have been messed about from start until present, the programme has somewhat improved slightly down to the amount of negative feedback the apprentices have constantly had to provide. Having already moved internally from another position within RBS I expected the apprenticeship programme to be of a high level however it has been the complete opposite and I feel I have been totally mislead.

As stated above the programme structure has been a disgrace, the level 6 programme (which still hasn't been signed off and is now 4 months late) seemed to be getting re-structured from week to week. No one seemed to have any idea of what was going on or what was actually meant to happen (both BPP & RBS) and when we gave feedback to both BPP and RBS it seemed like they didnt really care and put it down to being a new partnership between the two companies (BPP & RBS). The Level 8 has started slightly better with work being completed at the courses we have been on however it is still too early to give accurate feedback on how the course is being run.

No support from my provider in regards to the apprenticeship programme. No one seems to know what is going on or even what will happen once I complete the apprenticeship programme. This is worrying as I am unable to plan my future career and life outwith work. I find the lack of communication between all parties (apprentices, RBS & BPP) extremely alarming.

Support has been terrible throughout the level 6 programme. The assessor was really nice but seemed to have too many apprentices to cope with and help at one time. The level 8 programme so far has been better as we have had face to face training which has enabled us to complete the course work there and if we have any questions they are answered by the course instructor on the day.

Unfortunately the qualification I am currently working towards does not relate to my current role. None of the course work on both the level 6 and 8 ties in to anything I can use to assist me in my day to day job. I do not feel my current role is an appropriate role for an apprentice to be in.

There are many extra-curricular activities to get involved in. There are various sports, social and professional groups. RBS has many large networks that you can join or get involved with. I am currently not part of any of these networks or groups however I do know how to join one should I chose to.

No

The way in which I have been treated has been utterly disgusting, I do not feel valued at all as an apprentice or as an employee of RBS. I expected alot more from an apprenticeship within RBS considering the size of the organisation. I also expected to have been treated better especially after having worked for RBS for the last 8 years. I would strongly advise anyone applying for an apprenticeship with RBS to look elsewhere. [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]

[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] Unless RBS either take more interest in their apprentices, apprenticeship provider and teams in which the apprentices are placed into then I would strongly urge applicants to seriously consider other options before applying to RBS. I do not think RBS realise they are messing with peoples lives, not knowing what will happen once you complete a programme is a disgrace, it means we are unable to plan for our future careers and life out with the bank.