WPB Degree Apprentice Review

I am in my second year placement currently in the role of network operations assistant. Currently my day-to-day actives involve analysing internal survey data, creating presentations and presenting these to senior leaders. I also help organise working groups and organising new programmes of development for colleagues. I primarily communicate with other via email and zoom and have a flexible working hours and flexibility of home/office working.

In my current placement I have been able to develop my excel and PowerPoint skills; whether this be learning new formulas or formatting of presentations to fit in with the brand aesthetic. I have been able to develop my people skills through organising other and hosting a variety of meetings with a variety of colleagues

The best parts of the programme are those you are on the programme with. We are all in regular communication and have become our own independent support network. In this group we recognise and celebrate all achievements and we celebrate each others religious holidays constantly breaking down barriers. The support from within the bank and externally through training providers has added to the enjoyment of the programme and the topics we cover are really engaging

The programme is very organised to the extent we have a 4 year calendar detailing all out assignments and lecture days, it also covers were we would be expected to be progressing on the apprentice side of the programme. We have regular meetings with programme managers and our talent coaches to keep us informed and organised

I benefit from great support from my Functional manger whether this be the opportunity to discuss difficulties, an interest taken into my studies or further time to prepare an assignment. We are further supported by a programme manager internally who holds monthly 1:1 to discuss our progress and the opportunity to voice any concerns

The London Institute of Banking and Finance has a great team of lectures who you can reach out to for further understanding and the ability to discuss grades and offer their support and advice. They further have a library team who you can reach out to offer support with assignments such as queries around referencing

As the qualification covers the market we operate in this has deeply helped me understand the strategic decisions the bank make and with the management side of our course this had helped me to build stronger relationships with colleagues and how to better effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders

Due to covid the amount of extra-curricular activities did make a decline but these are slowly rising again. My working team is very spread out across the UK meaning the ability to get together on regular basis is difficult but we are currently working on 2-3 opportunities to get together but we also have the opportunity to socialise with our local branch network colleagues which I try to do on a monthly basis

Yes

HSBC offers you great opportunities to progress, the internal and external development in the bank are vast and great to develop your self across a range of skills and abilities. The teams I have worked in have all been very supportive either through work and workload or on a personal level. This is the happiest I have been with an employer

Be yourself, that is what stands out and the brand is looking for. Do not be disheartened if you are not successful first time, push and keep developing and you can achieve it. Do not be put off by thinking you will not be smart enough, I though as I had no degree I would not get a job and I was very wrong, and the banks has so many ways to help you gain qualifications. Also when interviewing be calm and do not talk too quickly so they can take effective notes