Apprentice Operations Manager Review

I am an Operations Manager within the Global Broking Centre. My job involves analysing data around business performance and making sure employees meet any regulatory requirements. I am also a part of projects which are looking to develop the data that we have as well as generating new reports which can then be used at renewals as well as seeing where we can improve client experiences.

I have developed my excel skills massively during my apprenticeship before starting at Aon excel was not something i had used much before. I have also become much more confident and am now leading project workshops with different areas of Aons GBC. I have become more independent over time especially as i have been working from home for the majority or my apprenticeship.

I have enjoyed my apprenticeship. The exam centres were shut for a long period of time over the summer which made it difficult to get through my exams as there was then more pressure to pass as quickly as possible. Also my role is not as insurance based as other apprenticeships and therefore it has been a challenge to meet all of the requirements required to pass the apprenticeship.

My programme is very well structured. Since the first day at Aon it has been well communicated what each stage will be. As well as this there has been workshops in place to help go over Exam knowledge as well as improving how we answer exam questions. We have just completed a Charity project where we worked with charities to help bring new ideas of working and help bring in more volunteers.

I received quite a bit of support from my employer. My manager was always happy to give me time to study and is willing to join any apprenticeship calls to see where he can help me meet any requirements. They also set up meetings with former apprentices who could help me with any questions i may have had when i first joined.

I had meetings once a month with my coach where we went through the next steps of my apprenticeship and how to cross off all of the requirements required in order to pass. He would also sort out and order all of my exam material i needed in order to get through my exams.

My qualification has given me a great insight to Insurance as well it has given me a lot of context to what is going on around the business. My role is not directly insurance based however by completing my exams it has meant i am able to assist those in the business much quicker as i already have an understanding of what it is that they do.

There is many opportunities that i can get involved in. I can become a mental health first aider as well as this i can have volunteering days which means i can go out of the office and help out in the local community. At the moment the offices have been shut for a while so networking has been harder however before then i had opportunities to meet colleagues outside of work

Yes

It is a good place to work and there are many opportunities for career development. My manager is always pushing me into new projects to help expand my knowledge and grow my exposure. Also they are happy to have people working remotely which means your work can be flexible based upon private life

I would say to be confident and push yourself out of your comfort zone as you will see the rewards of doing so. There are many opportunities to get involved in new experiences and they can hep drove your career forward. Use the resources around you as they are there to help.