Production Management Analyst Review

The Production Management Analyst supports the provision of the day to day technology based services. I support the activities to ensure that platform integrity is maintained in line with KSOR and technical roadmap releases. I help resolve incidents, problems and changes to a group of bank software applications. If an application has issues, it must be fixed quickly and root cause must be determined.

I have learned many new skills - SQL, Splunk, App Dynamics, Microservices, Software Architecture, Agile, DevOps, Domain Driven Design, AI, Machine Learning, ITIL, Unix. There is an online portal called Skillport that has a lot of video training available to everyone at the bank. As well as skillport, you can go on training days away from the office.

I enjoy the workplace and the job role a lot, it is one of the best jobs I have had. It is good having many options for my career in IT. After my apprenticeship I plan on staying in my current role as software support but I may eventually move into Data Science or Software engineering.

There has been some delays with the apprenticeship and I feel it could have been managed/structured a lot better. There should be more updates sent out to apprentices to keep everyone informed with what is happening. Sometimes apprentices are unsure as to what is going on with courses and sometimes things are done last minute.

My employer gives a great amount of support and there are many ways to get help if needed. My manager and my team are always available if I require help. This is important as at the beginning of the job a lot of help is required. Make sure to have a collection of skillport training available if you have downtime with no work needing complete.

Support is available from the training provider if needed however I have not required any help. There are several members of BPP that are available to contact via email or phone if required. All work complete for the apprenticeship is sent via an online training portal (Virtual Learning Enviroment VLE).

The courses I have completed so far do not relate to my role however they give a good basic IT knowledge (IT hardware, binary, networking). The information learned may be useful later on in my role. The bank offers training days for specific software or skills needed. I have completed training away from the office on App Dynamics, Agile, DevOps and AI.

There are a lot of extra-curricular activities available. Hackathons, code learning, charity volunteering, work nights out, sports. You are allowed to complete 3 days volunteering per year, you will get your normal pay for these days. There is a list of places that you can volunteer like animal shelters and charity shops.

Yes

The pay is very good for an apprenticeship and there are many opportunities moving around the bank. You could start of as software support then move in to software development. All the training needed is available. On top of that, Gogarburn is a great place to work. Most roles are casual clothes at Gogarburn as no one is customer facing.

Always ask a lot of questions. Prepare as much as possible for the interviews (look at possible interview questions via google). Learn as much as possible about RBS (look online at rbs website and download rbs app). Think about what role you would like if you get the job. Give yourself a lot of time to make the interviews.