Cross Asset Financing Sales Apprentice Review

As I am not yet FCA regulated, my role currently consists of assisting the desk with pre and post trade operational issues. Once I graduate, I will have the opportunity to become regulated which will change my day-to-day role.

I have learnt very detailed technical product knowledge for the fixed income and credit assets which my desk primarily deals with. From a soft skills perspective, I have developed my communication and time management skills and well as my overall professionalism.

I really enjoy the programme - it is challenging but very rewarding. I can see the progress I'm making daily. The program has given me so much in terms of career and personal development, a network and professional qualifications.

The program is very well structured - there is a clear timetable that we follow and have visibility of. I think there are some improvements that can be made (but nothing is perfect!)

We have many contacts within the firm that we can look to for support. There are business sponsors for each area, a HR program manager and we all have individual line managers.

My lecturers are very supportive. They have dedicated drop in sessions where we can ask questions individually if we are stuck. We are also given academic mentors who are really great at helping with our portfolios. Mine is my go to person for any university/ progamme query I have!

I have mixed feelings about this - in my previous rotation my qualification was very far removed from my day-to-day job on the desk. There is now a heavy focus in my current rotation on product and market knowledge which has made my studies very relevant.

Our firm have an Apprenticenet commitee which is essentially a network for apprentices, run by apprentices. They are given a budget which is used to organise networking and team building events for the wider cohort.

Yes

The firm has a really great culture. There is lots of support to help guide you from 6th form to working life.

Be inquisitive. Hiring managers don't expect us to have detailed financial knowledge when we join. They do expect us however to have a positive attitude towards learning.