Wealth & Personal Banking Degree Apprentice Review

During the course of the 4 year programme, we are placed within 4 different roles each year (i.e. Year 1 - First Placement, Year 2 - Second Placement etc). I am currently on my 3rd year and 3rd placement, so what my day involves differs from what it did in the first and second year. However, to explain my role is an International Journeys and Experience Manager - What I am responsible for is to deepen the relationship our international base of customers have with the bank. This could include deepening and furthering their relationship and meeting their lending needs i.e. an international customer who would like to start the process of a mortgage. This also involves analysing VoC (Voice of Customer), Customer Complaints, NPS verbatim - this gives an idea of what our customers are telling us and identifying painpoints and what we can possibly do to rectify them. Day to day tasks - would involve working on the specific projects I have been tasked with, the projects come from the existing backlog. We are also given the autonomy to bring forward any ideas we may have for projects as well which may be a benefit to us as a company or customers. Internal interactions - I collaborate with a range of stakeholders, this also includes senior leaders. This is for a range of reasons - to discuss ongoing projects, but also personal development opportunities. The level of responsibility is high, autonomy is all on myself and responsibility to deliver is my own. I own the delivery of the project and am ultimately responsible for it. My manager is always on hand to offer support when needed.

During the three years I have been on the programme so far, I believe I have been able to develop many new skills and continue to develop existing ones I had. An example of a new skill I have learnt is the ability to deliver strategic projects, which offer a solution to an issue which has been identified. Prior to the apprenticeship, I have never delivered a project before and had no idea of what it would involve and how it would be delivered from start to finish. The programme has enabled me to understand processes such as the discovery stage, setting expectations in regards to delivery timescales, how to interact with stakeholders involved with the project. Overseeing the projects from start to finish has been pivotal in developing this skill, where I can now say I can confidently deliver projects. An existing skill which I have been afforded the opportunity to develop is my stakeholder management. Prior to starting the apprenticeship, I felt I only scratched the surface with this. However, since starting the sheer exposure you get to the different stakeholders naturally enables you to develop this skill and become better, but you're also provided with guidance and help on how to navigate these skills. My personal experience has always been good with this, with my placement managers offering me guidance on how to become better with this

For me it's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience! The opportunity which has been afforded to me through the programme has been fantastic. I've enjoyed the challenges which it has brought, and ultimately led me to becoming a better and more upskilled employee/apprentice. I've also been enjoying the studying side of the apprenticeship, the degree I am completing is sector relevant, I am able to relate the theory to real life situations from the workplace. This also does make things easier to understand as you are able to put theory to practice.

I think the organisation and structure of the programme is very good. There were some teething issues in the first year and this is due to us being the first set/cohort of WPB Degree Apprentices within the company. So, naturally teething issues were expected. However, one thing they did do and implement is listen to feedback we had, took it away and actioned it where appropriate. Looking at the structure and organisation and how it operates now, is completely different. There is a clear direction, clear and effective communication with clear structure throughout the programme. As Degree Apprentices, we are aware of what is expected of us, where and when we will be moving in to new placements, who we can contact with any queries etc

The support we receive from the employer is second to none. The employer themselves offer a level of support, then the Degree Apprenticeship team also offer additional support on top of this. There are multiple resources available to us from the employer to utilise to help support us with many things. Through the Health Cover - we have access to GPs/Doctors 24/7, access to services which can help with our mental health 24/7. We also have a dedicated programme specialist who is responsible for the health and wellbeing of Apprentices. A real life example of me utilising the health cover is - I had a recent injury to my ankle, I was very quickly able to contact the health cover and arrange Physiotherapy sessions on the plan.

Through the training provider we have access to a Talent Coach. The Talent Coach is our dedicated contact, who is responsible for working with us to work towards and completing our qualification. We have regular sessions with our talent coach to discuss our progress and what needs to be completed to ensure we are on track to finish on time. I have a monthly call with my talent coach and then a longer 6 weekly call - during these sessions we discuss the qualification and progress. The talent coach is also contactable outside of these catch ups to discuss and questions I may have, and do sometimes arrange additional sessions to discuss these questions. They provide a swift response to any queries and usually are solved at first point of contact.

For me personally, the way the qualification has helped me perform better in role is by becoming more organised. The qualification requires high level of organisation to ensure you are completing tasks on time and to a high standard (If not done correctly would be returned, with feedback to complete again). To ensure you are completing this to a high standard, to avoid doing the work again I need to be organised when completing the tasks which have been set and think methodically to ensure they're completed to the high standard. This organisational skill required to complete the tasks has since been translated into my role, ensuring I am organising my workload effectively and setting the day ahead up. Before, I wouldn't take the time to set the day up and understand what was on my "To-Do" list and would almost freestyle the day. Since, my day is organised now with structure which helps me get things done a lot more effectively.

Yes, we have a number of different extra-curricular activities to get involved with. We have Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) - these different ERGs arrange events for the members to join and enjoy, this may include networking events with other members of the ERG, regular meetings with the ERG who discuss upcoming events etc. There are also multiple Professional Networking events which are arranged for us as employees to attend, with senior leadership at said events to help build your network. We also have the opportunity to volunteer, we are given two volunteer days per annum, where you are able to take two days away from the business to complete any volunteering activities you may want to complete. The volunteering activity is completely up to you as an individual.

Yes

For me, its a fantastic company to work for. The opportunities available to individuals, the people who work for the company and the culture is fantastic. There is also good representation within Senior Leadership, embodying the culture which is preached. As someone who is from an Ethnic Minority seeing this kind of representation makes me feel good and confident in myself, I feel as if I can achieve what they have and it also offers me the opportunity to aspire to higher levels. Another reason I would recommend is, I feel as if we are always listened to. Any feedback given is taken seriously and taken away and actioned. If can't be actioned we are given a reason and not just "fobbed" off. Senior leaders hold themselves accountable for their actions and overall make you feel better about the place we work

My one piece of advice I would give is always be true to yourself and who you are. Don't pretend to be someone who you are not, we are all individuals and and have unique traits which should be celebrated and not supressed. HSBC celebrates these differences and encourages them, you will be accepted for who you are.