Rating
- 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
- 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
- 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
- 4. How valued do you feel by NatWest?
- 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
- 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
- 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
- 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
- 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
- 9. Would you recommend NatWest to a friend?
- 9b. Why?
- 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?
I am currently working on the BPM Platform doing three different rotations of 3-4 months: testing, process discovery and centre of excellence. It enables me to get a taste of different roles and jobs before deciding what i want to go into. As well as my day to day tasks i am working on extra projects, completing college work and working on my CBQ's (vocational qualifications).
I have learnt many office skills such as conferencing, writing up internal documents, chairing meetings and focus groups and presentation skills. This has been through mentoring, training courses and self taught learning. I have built on my communication skills and my confidence by settling into a very supportive team.
I thouroughly enjoy the programme as it is a mix of on the job training, college work and practical learning which is best suited to how i learn. I enojy getting responsibility and the chance to use my creativity occasionallly such as in the Apprentice Challenge.
RBS really supports and pours resources in our apprenticeship programme, they want us to succeed. We have a great support network from buddies, mentors, training programmes, networking functions and volunteer days. All of this makes me feel that RBS not only values us but wants us to succeed as individuals.
Our intake is only the second in the whole programme so there are still some areas that can be developed and added to but over all the programme has been very well organised in a way that utilises all the available resources for us to learn and get settled in.
I get a lot of support in my CBQ and i have monthly meetings with my tutor to discuss any changes or queries i have and he always answers my emails so i can get constant feedback and progress at a fast rate while still producing high quality work.
RBS offers everything from mentors and buddies to specially tailored support on stress, bereavement and mental health. I honestly don't feel there isn't someone i couldnt go to to get assistance and it is well circulated and made aware of. In reference to my studies RBS is linient on time taken within working hours to complete college work or revise for exams.
I was surprised about how much we initially recieved for our apprenticeships and was pleased when we were included in the annual grading and pay rise scheme. Although we are apprentices, i feel we are treated like any other RBS employee and have never felt put out. My monthly wage covers everything i need and i am even part of the sahres scheme with RBS.
Every year the apprentices do a volunteer day, last year we mended public paths and fences for the Pentland Regional Hills Park which was hard but rewarding work. We also had the opportunity to do motivational speaking for the Princes Trust to young entrepreneurs. I recently took part in a Q&A at Edinburgh University representing the college and RBS and was able to network with people from in and outside RBS.
Yes
RBS offers people from all education levels, ages and backgrounds an opportunity to gain a qualification, earn a great salary and progress a career in technology, corporate or customer services. With the support and opporunities handed to you, it is a very successful apprenticeship for both RBS and the apprentices.
Be honest and confident with your communication and answers. Do not be put off if you are interested in technology but have no technical background. I communicated this to my interviewer as i had no technical background but i had other skills they found valuable so it didnt matter.
Details
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance, Information Technology
Scotland
May 2015