Essential Banker Review

My role includes helping customers in the banking hall using our machines or even helping set up their mobile banking. I also work on the counter paying in customers cash and dealing with queries. Due to Covid19 we are also now doing outbound and inbound calling to ensure our customers still have access to their banking and to help with any queries they may have.

Ive learnt to become more confident and am able to speak to people easily. Ive also learnt lots of different processes that are required of me on a day to day basis. Ive learnt about Financial Services and all the different things we can do to help our customers with their everyday banking.

I think my programme is okay. However it does lack support. You have to learn so much so quickly and it can be very stressful having to do your normal job AND do your apprenticeship work. I feel we should be compensated for the extra work load. The RBCB is very long and can be quite dull to read.

Its not very well organised at all. Ive had 3 different apprentice coaches all within the first year of my apprenticeshipand also changed from an in house apprenticeship to an out of house apprenticeship. For someone who is very socially awkward and struggles to feel comfortable with people this was very very stressful for me. I have essentially gotten through my apprenticeship by myself as I often email my coach and get no reply. I was supposed to finish my apprenticeship 6 months ago and im still waiting to finish.

My manager has been very supportive and I am given a day each week to do my apprenticeship work They understand it is stressful and a lot to take in. My manager always offers to help me with my work if they can and I always get extra time if I need it.

Not much support at all. As stated previously I went from an inhouse apprenticeship to an out of house apprenticeship. I quite often emailed the 3 different apprentice coaches I have had since I started and had no reply. Ive had talent coaches arrange meetings with me and not turn up or turn up late. This puts strain on other colleagues as they have to pick up the slack in the banking hall and counter whilst youre sat upstairs waiting for your talent coach to not turn up!

I feel that my qualification helps me deal with customers at first point of call. Meaning I don't have to pass on to a more experienced colleague to complete a query. It gives me more knowledge and more confidence to help my customers as much as I possibly can.

We often have extra curricular activities. We recently had an event called Big Day In where each branch contributed to a TikTok dance to show that we are all in this together during Covid19. We also have 1 day a year to do anything we choose for our chosen charity.

No

Very stressful job especially during covid 19. We were told we could decide whether we do outbound calling or inbound calling. They have now decided we ALL have to do inbound calling even if we are not comfortable, our manager has to give us a "virtual" hug to help us through it. Decisions from higher ups are made without even thinking how it could affect colleagues or customers at branch level. Made to feel like our opinion isnt valid as they ask you for your opinion and then do the complete opposite and then chastise you for having the "wrong" opinion.

If you are eager to learn and eager to move up the ranks Barclays will love you. Very Very stressful job.