Relationship Management Apprentice Review

My role consists of supporting my team with what is customer relationships and hitting targets. This means that my day-to-day basis is very diverse and I will probably not be doing the same tasks everyday. However I will mainly be dealing with customer queries, as well as liaising internally with colleagues to get these answers for customers. I will be involved in project deals with customers mainly loan related. This consist of the process of lending customers money via different products. One of my responsibilities is to deal with the teams optics, KPIs making sure we are on track with our targets and that we are constantly improving our numbers, for end month results.

I have learnt a lot of skills, specially when it comes to banking and finance. I have developed my IT skills as well, regarding to Microsoft word and using different systems internally to proceed with jobs. I have developed my communication and networking skills as it is a big organisation and it is part of the job role to speak to clients and prospects. It really does put you out of your comfort zone and make you interact with different people.

If I am honest i feel privileged to be part of my team and this organisation. However the apprenticeship programme itself has not been that great. I have struggled with our apprenticeship provider when it comes to communication and asking questions as well as getting responses. Bank wise I feel that there could be more done for our programme, compared to other programmes in the bank we get offered little when it comes to training courses, interaction days, qualifications and support from early careers. I felt I was left in the dark and I was to stay in the office, with no awareness on what options there are after the programme, not much training or support.

Not that well organised or structured. We have only had 2 face-to-face training in the whole duration of the apprenticeship. The information delivered on them was not very useful at the time they delivered them onto us. There is lack of support from early careers and managers, as managers don't really know what is expected from apprentices or if we have a learning plan. As we don't have a learning plan we are not quite sure what opportunities are open for us after the programme what jobs are available. We don't attend any courses, or actually interact with other apprentices outside our offices. It feels we have to do everything ourselves with no knowledge or help, its a constant battle of fighting to get any privileges and involvement in things.

I recieve a lot of support from my team. Everyone is more than happy to help, and always open to answering questions and supporting me. As I am the first apprentice my team has ever had, my manager supports me a lot where he can and is always happy to help and support me. However I don't receive much support help from the actual apprenticeship early careers, we don't hear much from them unless we ask questions and normally there is not much of a clear answer or helpful response.

Almost none. We are given an online portal to log into, and a text book and that's it when it comes to learning. All webinars/tasks/tests are online so its mainly independent study, so it feels like there is no actual teaching its all down to yourself and a computer. We get a mentor form the external provider, however they are not located in the same city and in my case mine has been out of the office a lot so there has been quite a struggle to get help sometimes. Even trying to liaise with the external provider is a bit of a hassle and no other department outside you one to one mentor replies to emails.

I feel like it helps with my job role, however we could have more learning on other areas as well which I believe would enhance and help toward our job roles and teams. For example more knowledge in lending skills as it is a big part of my team and job role

I participate in a lot of networking events organised within the bank as well as externally. Like Bristol young professionals and the employee led networks. Also get involved in charity work and doing a lot of volunteering towards different causes with different organisation as well as people and and colleagues.

Yes

Its a great organisation to work in, it give you loads of opportunities within development and you get to work for a big organisation who looks after their employees and customers. There are always events going on, and there are always opportunities for development career wise as well as in your personal life.

I would advise anyone who wants to join the RBS group to be themselves. The bank wants different types of people working in it, and it is a great organisation to be part of. Don't be afraid to apply for job roles or for things within the bank bank.