Apprentice Corporate and Commercial Banking Review

My role involves supporting the Relationship management team (Mainly the Relationship Managers) and helping them with their customers day to day needs. Our office is the main point of contact for customers and we help them with queries via email and over the phone. We also help managers with day to day office work that they need assistance on and help to key customer accounts.

I have learnt a good amount of new skills during my time in the role as well as developing existing skills such as developing my manner over the phone and conversational skills. I have also picked up new skills such as being able to assist with customer requests and use systems effectively.

I think I enjoy the programme a lot. It gives you a good wage and its a very enjoyable role to be doing. The apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to work independently with your academic work whilst gaining massively beneficial experience in the workplace which I am already beginning to appreciate and I'm sure will appreciate even more in the future. Although it's hard work it is very well run and gives you a good amount of freedom.

The programme is quite well organised as it gives you the freedom to choose where to plan in different key stages of the course as well as your tutor and support team maintaining a good level of support to keep track of you and make sure you are completing work at a steady and good rate. There could possibly be slightly more advice that is put out there from the start in regards to the structure of the programme and which responsibilities lie with us/the runners of the programme.

I receive an excellent level of support from my employer. They allow me to take the time I need out of my day to day role to focus on my apprenticeship work and are always checking I am up to date and if I need anything to change to support the programme. Networking events with other apprenticeships are also set up which are massively helpful to supporting development.

A good level of support is also provided for this much in the same way. I am given the right amount of time to focus on studying whilst at work and am also given support and advice as to when to be doing work. I have the freedom to take time out and do apprenticeship work if I feel like I need to.

The qualification helps me to perform better in my role very well because it gives me a much better depth of understanding of the world of banking and what is required of me whilst doing my job. It helps me understand different scenarios more effectively on a day to day basis and helps me grasp things that happen all the time in the role. There could however possibly be more of a role based focus although this is slightly covered in the workbooks

Yes, there are a huge amount of events I can get involved in at work. There is almost opportunity every week to go to an event and the apprenticeship is a great way of getting involved in events. It also helps you to explore what roles might be available to you in the future and helps you meet local people as well as adding a huge social element to the job.

Yes

RBS has an excellent apprenticeship programme which is hugely beneficial to career development and is run very well. It expands your opportunities and gives you a chance at success without having to get yourself into debt. You also gain invaluable experience in a job role and I think this is hugely beneficial.

I would advise anyone applying to gather as much experience as you can before applying. Along with this, research the bank and make sure you find out about the interview process and what you will need to be talking about. Show that you want the role why you are interested.