Business Apprentice Review

My role includes supporting senior members of the team with a number of different restructuring projects such as administrations, internal business reviews and receiverships. I often process payments, prepare letters and reports, update trackers and attend meetings. I also perform business development roles such as preparing proposals for go-to-market initiatives.

I have learnt a number of new skills. EY monitors our development through a skills and behaviours log. Each quarter, we are required to update the skills and behaviours log with the skills we have developed throughout the quarter such as communication, flexibility, ethics, business insight, professional scepticism, among others.

Sometimes it is difficult to enjoy due to the studying alongside working. We are not given sufficient study leave for our exams and so it can make balancing the two rather difficult. The team is however very supporting and I enjoy the culture that is encouraged by senior leadership at EY.

As mentioned above, there isn't much structure when it comes to studying and working as we don't receive sufficient study leave. We do however have a good support system through our counsellors who are always willing to help. We also have an apprenticeship coach who can support us.

We don't have a specific manager but we do have a counsellor. People's experience with support can vary. For example, I only speak to my counsellor once a cycle whereas my colleagues will find themselves speaking to their counsellor once a week. Support is however accessible if we need it.

The support from our training provider is actually more accessible than the support received at work. We are always able to contact our tutors and if they are unavailable, the online chat support is always there to help. Their attitude towards supporting us is generally quite good and accessible to us.

I do not find that my qualification helps me in my day to day role. There are no exams in the ACA scheme that relate to my job in restructuring, whereas my colleagues in audit or tax find that their learning has directly related to their job at some point.

There are a number of networks at EY to get involved in but I personally am not part of any of them. We do host social events within our teams which has been extremely useful for team bonding. When I am not working, I do not choose to connect with anything through work and I live my life separate.

Yes

EY has a very supportive environment and does encourage our development as much as possible. There are some instances where things get difficult but I think you would find this at every company. EY encourage us to develop our skills and support our learning to a certain extent which is beneficial.

The application process was very easy and quick. I interviewed at the main office and the partner which I interviewed with made me feel extremely comfortable and I found I wasn't as nervous to answer his questions. The onboarding process was easy but this was pre-COVID so it was different.