Analyst Apprentice Review

My role as an analyst requires me to support the service level managers in the team by completing tasks such as change reports, service review packs, governance dashboard validations, incident trackers, weekly incident calls, scorecards, rotas, citizenship activites, ACA data collections, BPS daily summarys, revising for my exam and completing assignments for my portfolio.

I have learnt more about how to organise meetings. For example compiling agenda items and sending them out, opening up and chairing meetings and sending out follow up actions/minutes. I have also developed my communication skills, such as learning how to correctly address people in emails and over the phone. I have learnt more about the different role in my team.

I somewhat enjoy my apprenticeship. I feel the people on the apprenticeship with me make coming to work and learning the course better. However I struggle to fully enjoy my job and don't love coming in everyday as i am not passionate about it. I enjoyed attending college as i was with friends.

I would say my apprenticeship at first wasn't organised at all. QA didn't organsie our course until 9 months after joining the company. We also have been provided with around 4/5 skill coaches in the space of 2 months, making it very confusing on who to contact. However this is sorted now and we are all settled into the course.

Within my apprenticeship i am allocated 7 hours a week to focus on tasks such as my portfolio, shadowing and exam prep. I would say i receive a fairly good amount of support however with my workload i rarely get to complete an hour a week. My peers however are always more then happy to support me if i ask. I also have Project Manager, Tech and Apprentice mentors.

We have a skills coach we can contact and he is very good at responding to any questions or marking any work we have. The tutors on our workshops are also very helpful, giving us materials to take home such as flash cards and books. We also get sent exam prep questions and past papers to help with revision from QA.

I have recently moved teams this week into a more project management focused department however in my previous team i didn't feel what i was learning in my workshops (college) helped with my role at all. I was feeling very frustrated that i couldn't apply what i was learning into my role. It made remembering things harder as everyone else had a head start. However, i have already noticed project management terms and techniques being used in my new team which is great.

We have lots of citizenship activities people can get involved in such as stand up comedy shows, cake sales, sports days. We also have a gym, tennis court and football pitch for people to use throughout the day. They have 5 a side games. Theres also activites like robot sessions during work.

Yes

I would recommend Barlcays because they offer a wide range of oppurtunites throughout the business to move up and progress. Also incentives such as bonuses really makes people feel appreciated! Also where i work in Knutsford the site is amazing! Lots of nature, places to walk on a warm day, tennis court, events for families, food stalls, mail office, starbucks and modern technology. It is hard work but worth it if you make the most of it.

I would say be prepared to hit the ground running and unless you come in as an apprentice you are expected to pick up things and take on alot of responsibility very quickly. However if you take every oppurtunity as it comes the business will recognise your effort and reward you! Also Barclays are big on citizenship so come with lots of ideas. They also have matched funding!