Client Management Apprentice Review

Secretariat services to the Trustees of different pension schemes, management of schemes/clients. Massive variation in tasks from cash flow forecasts to creating meeting packs and attending meetings. Regular client/adviser interaction, usually liaising with them to obtain information for tasks. Also opportunities to take on tasks outside my usually day-to-day like management of data transfer etc.

Significantly developed my IT skills, most noticeably on Excel. Also learnt new IT skills like using PulsePoint to manage emails. I've certainly developed by business acumen by learning from senior colleagues and having regular conversations/building great working relationships. I've also learnt how to behave in a corporate work pace which is a huge jump from sixth form (obviously!) We have a couple of WebEx training sessions a month to learn relevant skills that apply to our job. Also, studying through the PMI exams to become an associate member.

I do genuinely enjoy my job, I'd say for me it's great as it suits my strengths as an individual. This has been greatly helped by my colleagues who are really nice people and I get on with them all, they've been incredibly supportive since I've joined.

Very well structured. Induction was a two week residential and fully prepared me for my first day in the office. Your expectations are clearly outlined. We have regular catch ups both internally and externally with the training provider who have been supportive and told us what we need to do to pass the exams.

Plenty of support. I haven't really needed to use any yet but I know who/where to go if I feel some is required. My manager is very approachable and my 'buddy' has been great, giving me plenty of work and support because he is on the same career path, just two years ahead.

I have monthly catch ups with my training provider which is usually focused on the exams/qualifications. They also arranged for all of us on the Client Management apprenticeship to go to London for a training day before our first exam, however the training session and exam have now both been cancelled due to the Coronavirus.

the PMI exams are completely relevant to my job. In fact, a lot of the study material outlines tasks and details I've come across/done in my day to day job. For example, there is information on scheme returns that you have to know for the exams and I've filled out and submitted the scheme returns for a number of my clients, this made the information a lot easier to learn.

Loads. We have usually weekly office socials, even when the whole office is working from home we do a social lunch where we WebEx and chat while eating our lunch to keep some social minteraction. Also firm wide activities like annual football tournaments between all the offices etc. There are also annual opportunities to give back to the community usually in the summer.

Yes

Great company, interesting work and a clear career path for the next few years, you are a permanent employee from day 1 so once the apprenticeship is over you carry on in a permanent position . Couldn't have asked for much more in my first 6 months, felt very welcome etc.

Do it. The interviews/assessment days are not easy and it's a very competitive program to get on. However, the experiences are great and I've learnt so much in my first 6 months. The on boarding process was also smooth and the two week induction at Lane End Conference Center was great fun.