Retail Processing Apprentice Review

For my role, I create and maintain business customer records to ensure every record we hold is in line with the banks Anti-Money Laundering Policy. This consists of sending out requests to customers (by letter or email) asking for further information surrounding their busiesses shareholders, directors and company secretaries. Other responsibilities involve speaking to cusotmers on the phone.

I have learnt many new skills whilst in my role and developed numerous computer skills. For example, being on my apprenticeship programme gave me a great opportunity to develop my excel skills and the ability to create more xomplex spreadsheets in order to refine searches further. It has also helped me develop simple skills like working in a team and communication while interacting with customers.

I enjoy my apprenticeship programme greatly as it is a very good opportunity to develop my knowledge further and gives me the chance to interact with other colleagues around my campus which I wouldn't have had the opportunity to otherwise. The Damar Trainer was also very helpful and was always on hand to help all apprentices.

Unfortunately, my apprenticeship programme has not been very organised from the day I started. I was never clear on the structure of my Damar Training and was only advised at the last minute when we needed to travel to Manchester for training. As well as this, due to structural reforms, I had very little 1-2-1's with my apprenticeship co-ordinator and I feel like thos could have hindered my progress.

During my time as an apprentice I have received very mixed support from my employer. I received some support and guidance along the way, however there has been occaisons where I have not been allowed to work on my apprenticeship programme due to the current workload. While I understand this can be the case, it happened more often than not and I was often refused to go to apprenticeship meetings.

I feel like I received much support from my Damar Trainer, she couldn't have done more for the apprentices here in Radbroke. It always felt like nothing was too much for her and she was always available on the phone whether it was in working hours or not. Because of this, it really helped me to revise and really work on my course.

While I feel like the qualification is really useful and it can be used throughout many roles in the bank, I do not feel like it was specific to my role so I struggled to apply my new knowledge to my role. One thing I do note, it was helpful developing my excel skills because I often created MI for the team so having strong excel skills helped me really develop better reports.

I am lucky in this aspect because of where I work. My workplace is so big and there are always different extra-curricular activities that you can get involved in. Around the campus there are several different sports team and all sorts of events ongoing. They also have different societies such as board game clubs which you can get involved in. There is something for everyone.

Yes

Barclays is a great place to work with so much going on around you. It also offers some great opportunities for development so you always feel like you are moving in the right direction. There is always much support form colleagues and management which also helps to develop your career and nothing is ever too much to ask.

I would always recommend to be open minded and ready for anything. There is so much going on and so many changes it is always important to be flexible. It is also important to be as confident as you can be as it is important to speak to others in order to develop your role.