Financial Services Apprentice Review

by St. James's Place

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9.5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My role is rotational, meaning I will have the opportunity to go round different teams for 5-6 month periods. Currently I am in advice policy, which is the team that updates the resources to our partnership so that they are in line with regulations.

8/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I have developed all of my Microsoft office skills, and had plenty of opportunities to gain new soft skills to help me become a better employee.

9/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy the freedom I have within my role to pursue my ideal career, I have plenty of support from my managers to complete my objectives, as well as cater to my preferences in the workplace.

10/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

We have had some issues with ordering study guides, but these are ordered externally. On the whole, our development plan is very clearly staged, so we have a great template for the progress we should be making and when to make it by.

9/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I have support to all ends, from personal to professional, and not just from my higher-ups, also from any colleagues.

10/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

I have been able to contact my training provider and receive a solution within a matter of hours. As there are sometimes confusing aspects to the qualifications, it's nice to know there is always support available.

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

Since my current rotation applies to a lot of the laws and legislation behind financial services, it is invaluable to be learning about them as part of my apprenticeship, it also helps me to present my findings and highlight the 'so what' aspect of them.

10/10

8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)

After 2 months of employment, I have already been a part of a conference in the Bristol office, any whole of business update webinars, early careers open evening, early careers filming, and more which won't fit in the word limit. There is always something going on.

10/10

9a. Would you recommend St. James's Place to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

St. James's Place has provided me with a professional atmosphere where free expression is encouraged, making it an incredibly rewarding place to work diligently and collaboratively, as such a diverse company, you have a range of opinions you may not even have considered to help complete tasks.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to St. James's Place?

Relax when applying, the process will check your grades against requirements, but is more of a test of character, as part of the application, you will be asked to attend an assessment centre, I encourage you to be yourself as everyone in the room wants to know what you're about