Technology Apprentice Review

My work role involves the creating of reports (using Microsoft Excel a lot), looking after DR plans, working on servers and fixing issues or performing maintenance. Various other tasks as and when required have been performed as and when required like organising meetings or logging incidents oh and more spreadsheets.

Lots of skills have been learned on the job once actual training started (which took a while). Some learning has come from the apprenticeship work provided by BPP and some has come from the training given by fellow colleagues. In addition I've been able to attend different courses to improve my IT skills and knowledge of the business.

The work and company are actually amazing to work for. Lot's of great people and benefits. The actual apprentice programme has been mostly terrible though. It's taken them a year to get to the point where it seems relevant. There's a lack of interaction between the training provider and the business meaning most work has had little bearing on my actual job role.

As mentioned the lack of interaction between training provider and business has been awful. Little to no consideration about what our actual roles are so most training has seemed a waste of time. The programme had several subjects that would of been better run together or sequentially to "flow better". It's felt like it was thrown together by someone who had no idea what they were doing. Also for a University I would of expected better grammar and spelling on task documents.

My employer has been very supportive. They have gave me plenty of time to do the coursework. My team has also been very helpful in supporting me if I had questions or needed witness statements for submissions. I was off for an extended time too for personal reasons and they were ten times more supportive and understanding than any previous employer I've had.

The classroom sessions have been very supportive and if we didn't have them it would probably be a lower score. The training provider had several staffing issues meaning support has been very shaky. Sometimes replies would be quick and helpful but other times it's taken ages for correspondence or even additional emails to chase responces.

Until the second year I thought it had very little bearing on my role. More recent training at the start of year 2 has been more useful (thanks a lot to our complaining) and they have really improved things. I feel by the end of the training it will have had a moderate impact on my knowledge helping me in my role.

There has been both seasonal and general social events at work. From summer BBQs to Christmas Parties. Social drinking and team events such as Escape Rooms. In addition there has been several Charity Events to do some good and have a bit of fun too so it's been great working there.

Yes

I'd recommend RBS cause it's a great place to work. The company is supportive, it has good benefits and the people are great. I wouldn't recommend the apprenticeship because it has been the worst educational experience of my life. Maybe it won't be so bad for newer applicants though.

Do it. Be yourself as they are very welcoming people. One good thing about the apprenticeship is that it is easy to get into if you can keep the customer in mind. That is their big focus and even if you apply for a non customer facing role they will look to hire someone who cares about the customer you might never see.