Controls Testing Business Management Review

I worked in 1LoD Controls Testing from a business management side of things. I oversee the Controls Testing work and produce monthly MI, carry out the weekly progress meetings with Testing Leads, and track the real time progress of work being completed from our yearly testing plans.

I have developed my time management skills and communication skills. My organisation skills have improved massively as well as developing my people management skills.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship program. I am offered lots of support whenever needed from various people within the apprentice team at Barclays as well as people in my immediate team such as my line manager and key stakeholders.

The program is very well structured. We are put on a learning pathway linked directly to our role with an external training provider. We achieve a well respected qualification which is hand picked to be suited to your role. This enables me to develop key skills required to undertake my role by actually completing work for Barclays and also by completing my qualification.

My employer offers lots of support. I have an 'apprentice buddy' who was assigned to me. He is an apprentice who is a year further into the program than myself who I can go to with any questions / concerns I may have. I can also go to my line manager or the apprentice team with any concerns / questions.

My training provider provides support towards my qualification as well as my actual job role. My line manager will spend time going through my work set by the training provider so she knows the type of things I am learning and she ensures that I stay on the correct pathway which is relevant to my actual job role.

It massively helps me perform better in my job role. It helps me develop key skills required to carry out my job role such as people management skills, communication skills, organisation skills etc. It also broadens my knowledge of the area I work in so everyday I am learning something new and relevant to the area I work within.

There are plenty of professional networking events on offer which I attend. Many within the are I work and many outside of that area. This gives me an opportunity to meet new people within my area of work and also within other areas of the company.

Yes

The support offered is fantastic. The program is tailored to your needs and you finish the program with a very good, respected qualification from a well known provider and you also have hand on, specific work experience and are set up to progress through the rest of your career.

Prepare for your job interview. Research different areas of the bank and different roles prior to applying so you have a good understanding of all the different areas the bank operates in and you have a good idea of the type of role you would be interested in working in.