Relationship Support Manager Review

My role involves being the point of contact for a portfolio of clients. I help to manage their banking needs and resolve any problems that arise. I primarily distribute to other teams within the bank but remain the client's point of contact. Tasks include helping with online banking, setting up facilities and assisting with KYC procedures. I work closely with the Relationship Director and Client Service Executive.

I have developed my team working abilities because I am regularly required to cover my colleagues portfolios in their absence. Furthermore, I have developed project management skills which can be attributed to regularly having to oversee processes where the operational work is undertaken by other teams. I have improved my communication skills as a result of having to manage client's expectations, attending client meetings and having having to engage is difficult conversations.

I enjoy my day to day role most of the time however I often feel under a lot of pressue within my job at the expense of my studies. I do not have the time I need to achieve the results I want with regards to my studies - I feel as though I am more of a full time employee than an apprentice.

I don't think the structure is to the standard that it should be - we do not get enough time off the desk to fully engage with the apprenticeship side of the programme and I believe my studies suffer as a result. I primarily feel as though I am a full time employee and I am treated as one but without the regular salary.

I enjoy working for Barclays and the people I work with however I do not feel as though I get enough off the desk study time and my education does not feel to be a priority. I often forget I am on the apprenticeship programme because I am so absorbed in my day to day role.

Minimal - a problem I often face is that I do not feel as though I know who to ask when I have questions with regards to the studies. Response times are slow and rarely conclusive. I do not feel particularly supported within my studies by my employee or training provider which can sometimes be frustrating and I believe my education is suffering as a result. I feel more like a full time employee minus the salary.

My qualification is in my review unrelated to my day to day role. The qualification seems to focus on personal and small business banking whereas I deal in international corporate banking only. If the 2 were intertwined I believe achieving strong results in the studies would not be so much of a challange.

I am aware that there are extra-curricular activities however sometimes it can be difficult to find where to sign up however Barclays does a lot for colleague engagement, diversity etc. which is a really positive thing. Social activities and sports activities could be better advertised in my opinion so that colleagues know how to get involved.

Yes

Barclays is a great place to work. The values shine through within the culture and I generally enjoy coming to work for this reason. There are many professional development opportunities, paricularly within head office and management is keen for employees to succeed. Barclays is big on diversity and equality which is also positive.

Barclays is a really good place to work for the reasons mentioned above however I believe the apprenticeship programmes need improvement to encourage people to actually complete them. Apprentices often feel the same as full time employees just on a lower salary which leads people to drop off the programme in favour of a salary increase because they are falling behind on their studies anyway and do not feel as though they have the support they need from the apprenticeship side of things.