Banking Consultant Review

- Seeing customers to interview them for banking products such as current accounts, lending, savings and insurance - Preparing and calling customers who were due to see me - Calling customers to invite them in to review their accounts/products - Completing relevant training - Conference calls and meetings - Referring customers to other parts of the business such as business banking, mortgages and wealth - Hosting daily team talks in the branch

I have developed my resilience, confident and knowledge from my role and the apprenticeship programme. It has allowed me to build a great foundation to progress within the banking sector and to also develop my networking skills. Being an apprentice is more than just the apprenticeship, it's meeting new people and learning more than you would if you were just employed.

I really enjoy the apprenticeship programme as it allows me to spend even more time developing myself. I really enjoyed getting stuck into studying for a professional qualification (CertRBCB), which is industry recognised. I also enjoyed being apart of apprenticeship meetings, to improve apprenticeship journeys across the business and being able to take part in apprenticeship award to showcase what you have achieved.

It is very well structured. I would see my training provider around once every month to meet me in branch or via a telephone meeting. Between those meetings I would fully understand what would be expected of me for the next meeting and what work I would have to complete to ensure I was on track to complete my apprenticeship on time.

My line manager was very supportive of my apprenticeship. I believe this isn't totally consistent amungst apprentices as you really have to be proactive in communicating with your manager when you need to complete work, how much time you need and how long it will take you. As long as you don't sit back and allow this to just be set aside for you, the business will support as at the end of the day, it's your apprenticeship to take total control of.

Personally, the way I worked towards professional qualifications was outside of work time as you need a lot of time to sit and totally take the information in. My training provider would go through any questions or topics I wasn't totally confident with. I was able to email my training provider directly at any time if need be and he signposted any support also.

I believe that the qualification has give me a plethora of knowledge of the wider banking industry. As I work within one banking brand, you understand the processes and internal guidelines to follow and it really does make sense when you understand the bigger picture on why these rules are there to follow and the implications if you don't. It gave me a wider range of knowledge on topics such as Sharia Law and supporting customers that need help with Sharia banking, that I didn't know before.

As an apprentice you would attend mid year and end of year events for being an apprentice where they have motivational speakers, you meet other apprentices and celebrate your achievements. Within the wider business there is social events in branch and regionally you can attend to improve engagement amugst your team.

Yes

Lloyds Banking Group is a great place to work, colleagues are down to earth and managers really want the best from you to progress within the business. They allow you to get mentors, take time to develop yourself and celebrate you in a numerous amount of ways. Their reward package is great. I'm nearly 22 and I have worked in the business for nearly 4 years. I started on a Level 2 Apprenticeship and the business supported me to progress onto a Level 3.

Interview tip... Research the business! You would be surprised on how many people don't. LinkedIn... Can you find anyone on LinkedIn who is the same role and/or been on the same apprenticeship as the you want to apply for. Ask them if they have any tips or to give you more information on their apprenticeship.