Relationship Support Manager Review

My role entails dealing with large corporate clients general queries which could range from account overview, to linking certain products with the client or speaking with internal teams to complete client queries around their limits and facilities, etc. We are the main point of contact for this client and we are required to know 'a little about a lot' in order to point the client in the right direction if we are unable to action their queries ourselves.

As a Relationship Support Manager, you have the ability to develop your knowledge in a range of areas, and your development can be based completely on how quick you would like it to move. This role opens a lot of doors to other avenues due to the amount of teams internally and externally you speak without every day.

I thoroughly enjoy my apprenticeship programme. From leaving sixth form and going straight in to a working environment was quite a change, but with the programmes support, i have loved every minute of working. By joining the programme, you create another family with the friends you make who are on your journey with you - this really helped me to build my confidence in the work place, whilst being the youngest in any team so far. The programme exceeds my expectations when it comes to how i have developed and what I have learnt throughout the process. I have had the ability to mix with a lot of different people and learn a lot of new things which has really helped me in the roles I have done throughout the programme. I would definitely recommend this programme to anyone who is wiling to learn and wants to know more about the overall banking sector, and not just the team they are aligned to.

This is the one aspect of the programme which I can say isn't the best... When originally starting, we were allocated only 1 study day per two weeks for our studying - this was calculated wrong and we had to work extremely hard to get our 1 day a week like other firms were giving their apprentices. We get a lot of support from our university, but with our learning provider and company, the communications can sometimes get crossed and we are generally the ones who find out last about necessary changes to our programme.

There is an average amount of support received from our employer, but sometimes there are crossed lines between the different parties in this programme which generally have an effect on us as apprentices. We receive a lot of support from line managers who are willing to help and help develop us, but sometimes we do not receive the same level of support from all parties - but I believe this is more due to the fact that there is a lot of confusion between the different parties and not the fact that they don't want to help.

Our training providers are very helpful with certain aspects of the programme, but they do not have much involvement with our studying. They are, however, very helpful when it comes to needing them to contact the university for us when we are under stressed conditions - etc. assignment/exam lead up.

The degree I am studying for links very well with the roles I have been allocated in during this programme. One suggestion which may help future cohorts is - maybe asking lecturers to link the topic to our current role (if they can) so that there is a better understanding all over, for example; risk in banking and how this links to the RSM role.

Yes - there are a lot! You can take part/set-up anything you want! I am part of the netball team at work and we play games every so often together and train together every other week. This really helps to build your network as well as keeping me fit and healthy and allowing me to mix my outside work-life with my work-life and make it an enjoyment! I have also set-up training 'academies' and asked senior, experienced colleagues to take part in order to help better our skills and knowledge in certain areas - this has proven very beneficial to both myself and the wider team.

Yes

I would recommend Barclays as they are a very well established employer who really do have the apprentices interests at heart. Although lines are sometimes crossed and things get forgotten, etc. they always strive to help our development and find us the most amazing opportunities that I know other employers do not have access to.

Be prepared for mistakes, everyone makes them - both the Bank and yourself! Always strive to develop yourself as much as you can, widen your network, take part in as many things as you can, in and outside of working hours! If I was re-starting, I wish someone told me to plan better for my studying. This isn't anyone else's job but yours, take control and don't leave things until the last minute - use your less busy days to get your uni work done, the employers will thank you for it later!