Risk Apprentice Review

Within Lloyds Banking Group, I work in the lending department where I assess lending applications for products such as overdrafts, current accounts, and new credit cards.

Not coming from a banking background at all, I have learnt basis banking product knowledge and I have improved my communication skills. I have also learnt how to use a range of computer programmes used across the banking network. I have also learnt how to communicate to a range of colleagues.

I enjoy the process of learning new skills that are actually applicable to a working environment. Although it was not as I had originally expected, I have grown to adapt and look positively at the opportunity. I think balancing the job alongside the apprenticehip is fine, but its the frustration of conflicting work events wherein time is taken away from you that can be frustrating.

Having joined onto a relatively new scheme, there is more room for flexibility since apprenticeships are new for my department. There are at times where everyone is at a loss on how to handle situations in regards to the programme, however most managers and assessors are patience and understanding of this.

The support from the training provider is active and responsive, which is helping when carrying out coursework. It is also very useful when questions arise, however sometimes important information can be left late, which is frustrating in the long term of things. Given the circumstance of having to do most of the apprenticeship workload communication remotely, can also be frustrating.

I am happy to be in a position where my source of support at work comes from my apprentice mentor and line manager as well as senior management who are always eager for feedback on the scheme. Having two sources has proved a valuable tool when communicating, since managers have a tendency to have other things going on.

Lloyds Banking Group offer a salary that is above the national apprenticeship wage as well as being a salary that is the equivalent to peers in the same field. There are also several additional packages and incentives Lloyds Banking Group employees receive as well as staff rates for some products.

Within my department, there are a large amount of charitable opportunities to partake in. There are also several work groups you are able to join. There are also many schemes and learning opportunities to pick up new skills that are unrelated to work, with Lloyds Banking Group happy to partially fund it.

No

With the understanding that my apprenticeship is new, I feel as though the advertising did not detail the job role. My expectations of the qualification and job role were a lot higher than the programme I joined, which was underwhelming in the long run. There was a lot of involuntary marketing and promotion involved which can be disruptive at times.

To be assured of the qualification and job role before accepting the job. Find out the length of the programme as well as staying positive throughtout the application process, as it can be very long. And your line managers understanding of the programme (if you get the job)