Client Reporting Trainee Review

On a day to day basis I look over reports (monthly, annually, quarterly) and review them to ensure that all the data is up to date and ensure there are no grammar mistakes. I also do a lot of work Admin work on our SharePoint site. This involves uploading the reports to be sent out as well as maintaining the profile (so it goes to the right people, that it gets emailed out etc). For the qualification I collect evidence of my work that relates to my units and explain what I have done and why I have done it. I do multiple training courses through the apprenticeship provider to help build on my skills such as an excel course, presentation skills, health and safety etc. Within my role I have learnt about different parts of private markets and have learnt about the different asset classes; particularly real estate as those are the reports I mainly deal with.

I have significantly improved my IT skills including working with email, excel, word and PDF as I use these on a daily basis. I have also built on my communication skills as I speak to team members and send emails (internally and externally) frequently. I have also built on my confidence and presentation skills as I am in meetings frequently and have to give daily updates to my manager.

I have been really enjoying the programme I am on as it has allowed me to be gaining a wage and gaining experience at the same time. This programme has allowed me to build on different skills and has allowed me to be involved with teams I didn't know existed. My workplace has been very open to me working with other teams briefly helping to expand my knowledge and connections. I really appreciate that there were so many other trainees and graduates that I can talk to and find out more about different parts of the business. However, I do wish I could have more time with other teams, or do a rotation so that I can learn about different teams in more depth so that I can have a better understanding of different areas. I have found that I have plenty of time to do both work and the qualification work and don't feel bombarded or bored.

The programme is very well organised and we have been given set teams which has allowed me to settle in and have a more in depth understanding of private markets. As mentioned before, it would be nice to work more with other teams, however, this would also mean that I wouldn't get as deep of an understanding of my team. The early careers team (in work) also sends out frequent training courses for the trainees to do so that we can learn more/develop more skills. I also receive a lot of training resources from the apprenticeship provider. The apprenticeship provider also has a good timetable layout as the site clarifies when things are due and what else I need to do.

I receive a lot of support from ASI. My manager and I speak most days for a chat and a catch up as well as to discuss any issues I may have or work she may need help with. I have also been encouraged the early careers team to attend work events, networking events and having calls with the other trainees to discuss any issues or just a catch up/chat about work and our teams. I receive a lot of support from my team as well, if anyone is unavailable, I feel very comfortable to speak to them and ask for help as well as asking for any extra work if I am quieter.

I am given a good amount of time to work on the apprenticeship and have received lot of support from my mentor within the apprenticeship provider. If I am stuck with anything I always feel I can talk to her about it or reach out; she always replies quickly and with a supportive answer!

My qualification helps however, it is still limited. They have provided a good amount of training courses for me to complete and my mentor often uploads ones that are more relevant to me and the work I am doing - such as an excel course as I work with spreadsheets a lot. However, these are all mainly skill based and not really directly relevant to the area I'm in (nothing about private markets/finance in particular).

Yes, there are multiple networking groups and opportunities, such as coffee breaks/chats, that we can be involved in via teams. There are often different town halls as well as chats with more senior people where you can ask questions about things that are going on. There were also some opportunities to socialise at Christmas with a quiz! There are also some sports teams that are suspended at the moment with Covid.

Yes

I would recommend Aberdeen Standard Investments to anyone who is looking for a job as they are really supportive and regardless of your job role, they are always keen to hear everyone's thoughts and opinions. They also have a great opportunity to move around the business and try different roles as they prefer to recruit internally rather than externally. They also have a great pension scheme as well as a great holiday allowance. They have been really spportive ever since I joined and I always feel I have someone to reach out to if I need help. The staff are all lovely too!

When applying to Standard Life Aberdeen/Aberdeen Standard Investments I would recommend looking at their values and learning what they mean, this will help you to look at your own values and see how they compare and allow you to think of times that you have shown the values in a situation. I would also recommend looking at the news and learning a bit about the business as it there are always new things happening and it's good to be up to date! I would also suggest being yourself when applying, as like people for who they are, not just their skill set!