IT Apprentice Review

In my role I work with a project management team supporting a large project in the bank. This gives me lots of responsibilities and opportunities to be trained by others more experienced in the role. I learn and take ownership of the regular tasks of a project manager. I'm also provided with group training from others outside my team. I am given time to complete coursework and prepare for masterclass week long courses.

I have learnt a lot of new skills pertaining to my job within the project management team. I have also developed existing skills in applications such as excel. There are many apps that are new to me that I've learned to be capable with. I have developed my core skills through my apprenticeship and also gained some new skills using company funded training resources such as DataCamp.

I enjoy the programme as it is strong blend of on the job training and I am given my own responsibilities which include completing work that is essential to support the project I am with currently. The culture at NatWest is very inclusive and welcoming which makes it easy to build relationships and nurture them. The self direction with additional learning and completion of apprenticeship tasks takes some getting used to but I am now seeing the benefits of a flexible schedule.

The project management office had a framework of how I'd be learning on the job so to speak however that has not been stuck to. It has been changed for the better but there still seems to be a lot of time where no one can train me as they just don't have the capacity in their own work schedule. It is essential that apprentices receive training in their years as an apprentice to get them ready for when they go into a role. Early Careers leaves the teams to build their own style of apprenticeship but this should be standardised to ensure apprentices get enough time with on the job work and training. The apprenticeship provider QA give a lot of promises but don't deliver. I do not receive check-ins or support it is just course work released and then time to review the course work before submission. I have not been on a masterclass course yet but I hope they are well run

I am aware of lots of services NWG outsource for mental health, physical wellbeing. They also have a strong culture that encourages people to speak up. I think that people use these often and it must help them as almost everyone is NWG seems happy, friendly and ready to help.

I receive good support when it comes to reviewing course work however I do not know how the QA websites work and wish I could fully utilise them. I wish there was an option for in person courses as online in 2023 doesn't cut it. The pandemic is over and I think it is widely recognised that in person teaching is levels above zoom calls. This seems like a money saving option and will only harm the learning of future apprentices. In person would build more skills used in the workplace than zoom calls. I have heard from other apprentices that they have been disappointed with the courses so far and I can only guess this is one of the major contributors to that.

My QA contact suggested courses that would help me perform better in my role. However NWG let's you pick whatever modules you want to build your own career. This is the best of both worlds in my opinion. I will take my hat off to QA and NWG for this. Currently however this question isn't very applicable to me.

Yes there are many extra curricular activities to get involved with at NWG ranging from networking to sports or different clubs. However we were told Workplace was the website to use for social interactions online and it is where all the sports clubs and teams are run. We have not been given access to this and I don't think we will be. Very disappointing as a person who plays multiple sports and knows how good sports are for networking.

Yes

NatWest is a fantastic place to work and it's company culture is unrivalled in the U.K. and most likely has one of the best company cultures in the world. You really feel like you are one of the good guys working for NatWest Group with their focus on having a positive impact on the world. That as well as all of the opportunities to learn whilst working makes it the best place I have ever worked.

If I were to advise someone applying to NatWest I would say make sure the motivation is there and you are able to explain why you are the best motivated candidate for an apprenticeship - current qualifications don't matter. Familiarise yourself with how NatWest operates and it's goals and definitely connect any interview answers to their critical people capabilities.