Messaging service apprentice Review

Distributed central Services - Messaging team. This is maintaining the email within the bank. My daily tasks vary because of the team I work in, it can be anything from implementing new hardware used by the entirety of the bank, to fixing a users mailbox that has become corrupted. I mainly interact with internal employees of the bank, because of my role, and I deal with advanced level problems which mean I very rarely encounter even the end user who has the problem, but I talk to technicians and service desk members mostly, when a problem has been advanced past their level it comes to mine, I investigate problems that users have with their email service, along with implementing new technologies to keep the bank up to date and moving at a good speed.

Officially I'll receive a level 3 apprenticeship, but what I'm learning isn't about certificates, it's about the job knowledge and the technical skills I learn. Internally I've been on a two week training course that was to teach is team work skills, communications skills and provide networking events. The company also send me on Microsoft certifies courses, provided by trainers like QA, these are on modern technologies that the bank will implement in the future. I also use a service called learndirect on a weekly basis, they provide virtual classrooms, with phone dial in audio. Along with reading material and weekly tests. Currently I've learnt quite a bit, but there's a long way to go.

I don't particularly enjoy work, but I understand that most people don’t, I'm interested in some of the things I work with which helps. I enjoy the environment that I work in, I work with friendly people and everyone is always happy to help or just have a chat. The company also reflects its employees, with a friendly but professional attitude; they create good working environments and keep employees happy.

lloyds do a great job of making me feel valued, currently mainly though managerial recognition because the tasks I'm doing are small impact, I understand through reading the monthly newsletters that other employees that perform larger projects or tasks that impact a larger area of the business. I feel my team involve me in projects they can, but because I'm still quite technogically limited they sometimes struggle.

The program had reasonable induction, although the process was slightly delayed and on the first day we were just told to turn up at a location and not much more which was a little disorganised. Training wise it's very well structured, provided by an external company called learndirect, with weekly virtual classrooms and online learning and reading materials, supported by quizzes to test your knowledge. Study wise it's all incorporated within the learndirect teaching, with reading material and a few videos to watch in your spare time, or outside of working hours. I have 3 monthly reviews with the learndirect tutor, along with 6 monthly reviews with my line manger; I feel this is enough to properly monitor my progress and learning.

The training provider, learndirect, are great. The program they offer is informative, educational and enjoyable, it provides relevant content and the virtual classrooms are regularly scheduled allowing you to move work around them. If I've ever got problems my tutor is always around to help and support me, staying on after virtual classrooms to answer questions over the phone if needs be. This is one of the thing that i do enjoy, because the content is interesting and relevent.

lloyds are good at providing support, from a managerial point of view he's always there if I have quesitons about higher levels of the business, I have a mentor who is able to answer apprenticeship related questions which is very helpful to have around.

Very well, with currently living with my parents I have low expenditures, only board and travel as necessities, there are other costs but the salary covers these easily.

Lloyds baking group are great at providing opportunities outside of work, by offering things like volunteering and encouraging you to get involved with the local community. Even running events for local charities or national charities is always encouraged.

Yes

great oppotuity, with great working environment.

Be confident, always speak up. Buy a monthly travel ticket; I could've saved a couple of hundred pounds if I'd bought mine sooner. Always get involved in events and talk to people, if there's a big wig visiting your building and doing a talk in the canteen try get along and ask a question.