Apprentice Review

Helping my team to complete claims, usually given jobs at the start of the process, ie draft emails, update templates, a lot of system work, internally meetings/catch ups. Interactions via calls and emails with clients to update them or request the relevant information. Responsible for my own work which contributes to part of the teams as a while.

I have learned that I am a more confident person than I thought with a very resilient attitude. I have learned how to adapt to different situations that I may have been found daunting before. I have also developed a lot people skills as I am happy to speak to clients or colleagues at a more senior level than myself.

to start with I was very let down with my apprenticeship as after waiting over a year I was unassigned as there wasn't enough work. After a month I was placed in Managed Services doing PPI claims which I did not find relevant or useful towards the apprenticeship at all.

I do not find the programme to be very well organised as on a few occasions I have found myself receiving conflicting information then when reaching out to query it I haven't had a very quick response. the structure of the programme in regards to the exams is very well spread out which gives a fair chance of success.

KPMG provides a lot of support for each individual facing different issues or challenging. there are a lot of networks or support groups that you can get involved in. for the apprenticeship we have specific people to speak to regarding exams, holidays ect which is really helpful as for many people this is their first job after school so that extra bit of guidance really helps.

BPP and AAT are both really good providers in respect to training. the materials are really straight forward and show different examples in the exact same forward as the exam is in. the online resources re also good when building up your knowledge to the exam. I have had both classroom and online training which I was unsure about to start with but after the session I found it was a very effective way of teaching the course as you still had the chance to ask questions.

the exams are very useful in setting up your background knowledge before applying it in your day to day work. personally I have been able to use my skills and knowledge from the exam to pull together specific parts of work. I feel this will continue as I progress through the exams.

yes each team has a lot of their own social events however the apprentices try to regularly have their own nights out which are great to get to know people out with a work environment. A lot of the networking events are great to met people that you haven't came across before.

Yes

The aspect of working while gaining a qualification is a much better alternative to University and I think being in a working environment really helps people to understand their qualification better. It is a friendly company to work for and having the support around you when studying is essential as it can become very stressful.

Don't be scared to step put your comfort zone when throwing yourself into new situations or opportunities. Get involved in as much as you can as the more you put in the more you will get out. Always ask for help or assistance if your not sure as everyone wants to help.