Portfolio Management Review

I work in Corporate Portfolio Management who act as gatekeepers to credit and analyse the return on capital. Portfolio Management teams across the country manage c£100bn of assets. On a daily basis this means that I sanction excess positions on company's bank facilities and analyse their monthly and annual accounts.

During my first month I was taught the theory behind corporate banking and how to analyse a business and their accounts. I also attended sessions about the regulations in banking to gain an understanding as to how these laws affect the bank and ultimately the people who work for it. I have formed a network with other apprentices and currently I am leading a project to pitch a charity to a board of directors. I have also had the opportunity to learn about other teams and product partners within the bank and have spent a day with Coutts, the bank of the Queen.

I really enjoy my apprenticeship. My manager and team are very supportive and are always there if I shout for help. Everybody who I have spoken to in the bank is very friendly and is more than happy to offer you their time.

I feel as though every employee at RBS is valued not just apprentices, therefore I don't feel any less valued to those that are senior to me.

My manager is very supportive and has created an excellent plan which will help me gain the most from my apprenticeship and the time spent in my role on my team. I feel as though there could be some more support from the Early Careers Team centrally to just check up on the apprentices every quarter to see how we're getting on. Largely the organisation and structure of your apprenticeship is on the shoulders of your line manager.

My assessor is very helpful and friendly. I have no hesitations in asking her to help as she is very happy to.

I get a lot of support from my team and line manager as they all want me to do well and encourage me to get involved with new things.

At this age life is expensive, the price of buying and maintaining a car, board and travel tickets all add up. RBS offers a very attractive package for somebody at apprenticeship level.

Many of the opportunities to get involved with outside of work are in London which is great if you live there. In the North there are no early career/graduate committees like there are in London.

Yes

The experience I am gaining from learning on the job is something that money can't buy and you can't learn from sitting in a classroom.

Be honest and act with integrity.