Investment Consulting Apprentice Review

I am an apprentice in the Investment Consulting department. I work in client team to help Trustees of pension schemes manage their investment portfolio. I am the main "doer" of tasks such as quarterly monitoring report, providing market updates, drafting meeting papers and other administration tasks. Sometimes, I join client meetings and provide an update to the client about what has happened in the markets and their portfolio.

I have improved my professional writing skills so much as I'm constantly learning from the more experienced colleagues, and learning new things through preparing for exams and attending internal and external webinars. My communication skills have improved drastically as I liaise with different parties on a daily basis, I get exposure from all different dimensions.

To be honest, the apprenticeship programme is quite onerous as I'm not quite sure how it relates to my job. There's a lot of pressure from work already such as meeting paper deadlines, keeping on top of the administration tasks etc so the apprenticeship tasks (e.g. recording off-the-job training, evidencing, personal development plans) take up a lot of my time.

The programme is very well organised as there is a set timetable which I try to stick to. The apprenticeship coordinator has monthly calls with me which helps me to keep at it as she sets tasks and deadlines for me. From the start of the programme, I understand what is required of me.

Due to the nature of my work and my client teams, it is quite difficult for my employer/my colleagues to provide me with much support. I don't work with my manager in all my client teams. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "support" and how my employer can provide support.

Plenty! Although most of the studying toward the professional qualification is done by myself and really depends on my own motivation, the training provider provides me with "teachers" and videos which explains the content I need to learn chapter by chapter. I also have a few study days where I can focus on revision.

Revising and preparing for my exams has given me the knowledge which I won't have learnt through working on the job, this is helpful. The personal development plan also helps me to think about my goals and wok toward them. However, the other tasks such as OTJT and evidencing, I don't really see how they relate to my role and how they are helping me perform.

Due to the pandemic, it has been difficult to engage in social activities but sometimes someone organises one. However, due to resource constraints, we are always very busy and under pressure, it is almost impossible to stick to the contracted working hours. This makes it difficult to engage in extra-curricular activities. I personally prefer to keep a work relationship with my colleagues due to personal reasons.

Yes

The people you work with in Aon has tons of experience and you can learn a lot when you're just observing them. You are treated as a member of the team and work alongside your colleagues in providing solutions to your clients. There are always goals to work towards and you will constantly develop yourself.

Be prepared for the workload you will be given because it isn't like a school where you can do whatever you like. You will be treated like a professional. You will be expected to reach out and ask questions, observe and attend training sessions. Always follow the Aon guidelines.