Apprentice Data Analyst Review

My role involves maintaining existing data systems and helping to develop new systems. This means making sure payments can correctly get where they need to go and reviewing data to make sure that it is doing so correctly. My work generally involves performing checks to ensure systems are working, notifying of any issues and engaging with projects.

I have learned and development many skills in different areas during my apprenticeship. Skills such as stakeholder management, building professional relationships, managing workload and budgeting my time well. Technically I have developed skills with different data tools and means of analysis, including project lifecycles, design and testing. Through my apprenticeship I have had the opportunity to learn about and go on courses for programs such as Excel, Python, Tableau and many more industry standard tools for data analysts.

I really enjoy my programme. I have been welcomed into the team and wider community within NatWest and enjoy my time interacting and working with colleagues. The role and programme itself have helped me develop many skills I might not otherwise have the opportunity for with a strong culture and focus on learning and reaching my potential. I would recommend this programme to anyone looking to build skills and get started with their career in data.

My programme is very well structured beginning with an induction and first year spent building the base skills and technical knowledge to be able to use tools effectively. The second year is more focused on learning specific data skills and tools. The course has involved studying and writing essays at well placed intervals, along with specific class-based learning courses through the year each year. There is great support in place between my team at work and my course co-ordinator to allow me to succeed and overcome issues however big or small.

I receive great support from my employer. My manager has been great in allowing time for specific study, supporting me throughout whether concerning coursework or workplace learning. My colleagues have equally been open to any questions and spent a lot of time helping me with learning and developing in many areas. I have also had a set apprenticeship mentor, another colleague who has previously completed the apprenticeship programme to assist me in navigating my time here.

Support is available at any time and it is simply a case of reaching out to my course co-ordinator. There is an induction/pre-learning session before setting out to complete any coursework or class and if there is any ambiguity or issue while completing coursework then all I need to do is contact my course manager or teacher on any given class.

The skills learned on my apprenticeship course have helped me to perform better in my role. While the course itself cannot be catered directly to my role, the classes and units are modular and can be selected to best fit my role itself, allowing for the development of selected skills that can best help me perform. Equally, the course itself is specifically data analytics and so any additional skills that I do not currently directly apply in my role may be useful in future.

My team has social activities, including charity days and volunteering in the community. Covid-19 has impacted our ability to meet more regularly, however I have attended events with colleagues (including bowling!) over my time here. I have also had the opportunity to attend professional networking events across different financial institutions through my apprenticeship.

Yes

The experience gained and the experience had in my time here has been invaluable. I really enjoy my work and my workplace, my colleagues have been extremely friendly and welcoming and I have been permitted to spend a large amount of time honing and developing skills within work and through my apprenticeship course that may otherwise be difficult to spend time on in traditional roles. For an entry level professional in any role, whether data or otherwise, an apprenticeship programme allows you to develop skills and knowledge at a rate across a wide range of areas that may otherwise be hard to accomplish through a traditional job role.

The application process involved submitting a CV, an initial one-sided video interview and a final interview. Following a successful interview stage was the induction week; a series of events about NatWest and working for NatWest before joining my team. My main advice to anyone would be to make sure to set time aside in your work schedule specifically for apprenticeship coursework, be open with your manager about workload and discuss more coursework dedicated time if necessary and finally to always ask your colleagues questions, as many as necessary to understand and develop in the workplace!