Lloyd's of London Apprentice Review

10 months into the Scheme, I am currently on my second placement at a Lloyd's Underwriting Syndicate. Previously, I spent 6 months within a Lloyd's broker. At my current placement, my role is to assist the underwriting team, who I accompany to the box everyday. This includes processing slips and endorsements, Cat Modelling to work out the property exposures as well as attending client meetings and other general Insurance admin.

Since starting the Apprenticeship I have learnt so much and developed numerous new skills, both in General Insurance knowledge and technical processes as well as my interpersonal skills. I am also studying towards my Certificate in Insurance.

So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed the programme and I am very glad I chose it as an alternative to University. I have met great people and I have been able to gain qualifications as well as valuable hands on experience doing something that I am enjoying, even more so than I thought I would. Also, by being a part of the apprenticeship I have made 12 friends in the other apprentice's as well as the previous year's apprentices who now all have gained jobs in the industry since finishing which is a great asset to have when joining a new industry as well as the support network it creates. There is always someone about to have lunch with.

As an apprentice, I feel valued by Lloyd's. They are keen to know how our placements are going and if there is anything we aren't enjoying so much and what they can do to help and how they can adapt the scheme for the future cohorts to benefit them. They also provide us with regular training days to develop our personal skills as well as revision days before exams.

I believe this programme is well structured. After a one month induction, which provided us with training days, revisions days, personal presentation skills, interpersonal skills and the history of Lloyds etc. we all then went into the market with a good base knowledge and confidence to then be able to get the most from our placements. Being able to experience both the broking and underwriting side has been a great opportunity.

we receive great support from our training provider. We all have monthly one on one meetings but are also able to contact them at any time, should we have questions/need advice.

we receive good support from Lloyds and they are there whenever we need help or advise if we need it. We are in regular contact and they are keen to help us succeed.

I think as Apprenticeship salaries go, what we receive is very good. I currently commute and although it probably wouldn't allow me to live in London very comfortably, once my season ticket has been deducted I am still able to save and spend a reasonable amount each month.

As an market, Lloyds has a vast amount of opportunity's outside work to network and meet new people.

Yes

It has given me an opportunity to experience the insurance sector in a way that no one else offers in that I have been able to try both sides of the industry. I feel like this has given me a great starting point and will very much help me to make a decision on where I think my skills lie and what I would like to carry forward as a career.

I would advise anyone wanting to apply to the scheme to research the industry and the history of Lloyd's of London and what makes it so special before you begin the application process and why you feel this is the apprenticeship for you rather than other options. Work out your strengths and weakness and be ready to share these, be confident and chat to other candidates, most importantly be yourself.