Rating

8.9/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • I am a Technology Apprentice working within Payments Services. I am based in Edinburgh. I joined after leaving High School at the end of my final Year at only 17. My day to day work can be completed in the office or from my own home- which is just lovely as it means I can get my work done just be logging on should I sleep in really late or if i'm unwell. My day to day work includes anything from Creating Analysis Documents, to dialling into conference call meetings, Coding on Java, Mainframe or IBM RIT, Training provided by an RBS employee on topics. I started out under training with another staff member to give me a full foundation of knowledge about the payments department and team to build from, and after a few months I was placed on a few projects alongside that trainer, now I am even working on projects separately to them - but I am always happy to help them with tasks should they request it. The office is filled with friendly and talkative colleagues and regularly has fun events and outings, there are also events offered for training - travel to other cities with the office for events & days out to attend events such as Hackathons and the likes if you ask your Line Manager and wish to go that is. I also have weekly one day release to attend college which I have completed my HNC and am working towards the end of my HND qualification.

    9/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I have learned many skills while working at RBS, I have Achieved a HNC level pass in Computing, which I would say is great since I didn't do any computing classes at all in High School. I am currently finishing up my HND in Software Development (don't worry there are other courses available to choose if you don't particularly like coding back end - like Computing Science - for front end and stuff like that- and Technical Support - for actually dealing with hardware rather than software). There are also plenty of opportunities available for internal training courses - some of which are held in London, Manchester and other locations. You also have external training courses available through RBS which you can ask our Line Manager about. I have learned all about a multitude of topics since joining RBS, including the payments services, systems & topics. Computing basics all the way to more advanced stuff, alongside everything from Java programming to Troubleshooting, Networking, Web Design & Development, Relational Database Management, SQL and so so much more.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoy the multitude of tasks I receive on a day to day basis, I also greatly enjoy the projects that I am a part of. I adore the friendly environment offered in my office & from all of my team mates both in the office & throughout all of my projects. I get to interact with people all over the globe in different offices & can chat casually with them through 'Lync Messenger' which is the older version of Skype for Business (some people are still on the even older version 'Office Communicator'). The apprenticeship has been a very rewarding experience, though there have been a few rough spots along the way that were overcome. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in Technology.

    9/10

  • 4. How valued do you feel by NatWest?
  • Everyone is extremely willing to help you out as an apprentice & are understanding of any difficulties or circumstances that arise so long as you do your work and communicate with them - for example if you drive you will be sharing parking - so if you have to log in from home or will not be in office be considerate and warn the person/people you share your space with so they may use it or so it can be released and used by another employee on that day :)

    8/10

  • 5. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • I have a well structured programme - though no one has been consistently in charge of it, and it can be difficult to find out any definitive information because of this - also the joiners who joined in 2016 didn't have the weekly college day release as we did as there was a re-structure. However now the college programme is being brought back for newer still joiners.

    8/10

  • 6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?
  • From m trainer I receive help as I need it, and from the college we get excellent support for out learning, also remember that your fellow apprentices will likely be glad to help out if you need it.

    9/10

  • 6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • My manager is accommodating and is happy to have meetings with me if required, My mentor (trainer) is very helpful should I require help or experience any problems with a task or access difficulties. HR has been a lot harder to get a clear definitive answer from for many topics, but have always done their best to be helpful and quick to respond. Everyone's attitude towards the apprentices in my team is high and happy to help out and even offer training in their different fields for us.

    9/10

  • 7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?
  • Amazingly, it is great. We also get expenses back for out college travel (since our college is in Hamilton rather than Edinburgh)

    9/10

  • 8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?
  • Yes tons and tons. There are events in other offices, outside of the offices, there are activities organised by the teams also, and also plenty of volunteering opportunities. there are also gym's on the main buildings like Gogarburn that are free for employees. There are loads of discounts available for RBS Employees also. When I have had no tasks to do in the past I would focus on College Work, One File (CBQ) work or on my own personal training on coding or languages that I learn.

    9/10

  • 9. Would you recommend NatWest to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • I have already. Three of them have joined already & two are in the final stage of the interviewing process. It is good as an experience, you get really good pay & it is a reputable organisation that would be good on you CV if you wished to move onto other work following your apprenticeship.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?
  • Don't be nervous on your telephony interview and you should sail through to the final in person interview.


Details

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Finance, Information Technology

Scotland

March 2017


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