Relationship Support Officer Review

I currently work within the Birmingham MME (Middle Market Enterprise) team as a RSO (Relationship Support Officer), supporting Business' with an annual turnover of between £6.5M - £350M. My role essentially revolves around the annual renewal of existing facilities that we have out with current customers. Completing the technical checks prior to submission to Credit and the relevant actions required following approval by Credit.

The qualification provided as part of the apprenticeship (Cert BB&C) has been a great way of learning new skills and knowledge - it gives you a great grounding to Commercial Banking. There are also a number of courses provided by HSBC that allow you to further develop your skills and knowledge.

I find that the programme is challenging but enjoyable. It can be difficult to balance normal day-to-day duties alongside the apprenticeship but HSBC ensure that you get the right amount of time 'off-the-job' to complete the relevant studies. The Cert BB&C qualification has also given me an excellent grounding within Commercial Banking.

The programme is organised well as HSBC ensure that I get enough time 'off-the-job' to complete the relevant studies. HSBC also organise quarterly 'Apprentice Days' where we are given the opportunity to network with other apprentices within the bank. This allows us to share our experiences with one another and provide any feedback to the HSBC apprenticeship team.

HSBC as a whole are extremely supportive of apprentices. My line manager ensures that I get the right amount of time 'off-the-job' to complete my apprenticeship work. HSBC also organise quarterly apprentice days. These give us the opportunity to network with colleagues within other areas in HSBC - many of these colleagues being Senior Leaders within the bank.

Personally, I preferred to work towards my qualification individually as I found that I could call upon my knowledge having completed Business and Economics at A-level. However, my training provider is always there if I have any questions regarding the apprenticeship or qualification. They have also been a massive help as I go through end point assessment.

The Cert BB&C has given me an excellent grounding to Commercial Banking. I feel that it allows you to understand the various products, regulations etc that come under the Commercial Banking umbrella. There are also various higher level qualifications that I will get the opportunity to complete in the future that will expand upon my base knowledge.

Yes - the team often run social actives that are always fun and allow you to get to know the team better. I found this vital when I joined the bank because as expected I didn't know anyone. We also get invited to various professional events that allow us to grow our internal and external networks.

Yes

I feel that HSBC have given me every opportunity to develop. The qualification has given me a great base knowledge to Commercial Banking, something that was completely new to me when I joined the bank. The various events ran by the HSBC apprenticeship team has allowed me to expand my internal network, despite being so new to the bank.

I would encourage anyone and everyone to apply for an apprenticeship role at HSBC. They have given me every and any opportunity to grow within my current role and are already looking at my next steps - this something that I feel is hugely important as it makes me feel like a valued member of the team.