Project Assistant Review

My day-to-day role depends upon what placement I am undertaking at the time. Currently as a project assistant, my day-to-day role can vary on a weekly basis. However, the majority of my work means I am responsible for producing different types of documentations for the project to ensure it can go through the next project stage gate. I am also ensuring I am engaging with different stakeholders across the Programme to ensure I can receive and collate all of their requirements, and see how those requirements may impact other areas.

Since undertaking my apprenticeship, I have learnt so many new transferrable skills that I can take to many different jobs. When I joined the scheme, I was straight out of school with little working experience. Since then, I have really grown in confidence because I have learnt how to manage my own expectations, and the expectations of the colleagues I work with. I am much better at time-keeping due to having to send status reports out to senior colleagues on time, and I have learnt how to use many different softwares which are used in project management both internally at LBG and externally. I have also passed my Level 4 diploma from APM in Understanding Project Management with a high percentage, so am comfortable in my knowledge on Project Management processes. Also, LBG have recently sent me on an Insights Course, where I was able to learn about the ways in which I work with my colleagues, and how best to work with those with a similar working attitude to myself, and those with a different approach to work. There are many different training schemes that LBG offer to their internal colleagues to expand on their skill set alongside undertaking an apprenticeship.

I really enjoy the work I undertake on my Programme – due to the large scale of the bank, I believe there are always opportunities to grow and to expand upon my current skill set. This means that if I wasn’t feeling confident in one area of work on the Programme, I could then move along to another role within the same Programme to improve upon my skill set. This also applies in the sense that if I feel like I needed more of a challenge within my own work, there is the capability to do so. In my experience, I have really enjoyed working in every team I have been with, and have found everyone helpful and engaged with my development. It has been a welcoming experience, and although I was initially very daunted, I quickly felt settled within the team.

I do feel valued with LBG, as every role I have undertaken and contributed to, I feel valued and appreciated. Any task manager I have manages to successfully pass this on to my line manager which I find useful. Also, there is the opportunity at LBG to nominate colleagues for internal recognition awards, which I find interesting to read and can provide a real confidence boost.

When I joined the apprenticeship programme, I found the induction really useful as all the apprentices from our cohort met Face to Face in a training centre, and gave us the opportunity to do some networking and build relationships we could use at a later date. For the first few months, I felt like from an apprenticeship perspective, we were left to settle into our teams which was really valuable. Since then, I have found if I ever struggle with management of my time with work and studying, the support is there if it is required. I have also found two mentors internally at LBG, which I find really useful as one has previously been through the apprenticeship programme, and one has worked hard for a long time with plenty of bank experience. I find both highly valuable.

The support from the training provider is always there should it be required. Outside from having an apprenticeship assessor who helps with our progress, we are given plenty of other contacts should we ever have any issues. The tutor given from the provider was so incredible at always ensuring we had enough knowledge to pass the exam, and was always willing to provide feedback on any sample answers prior to our examinations which was my biggest worry.

In LBG, support is always received well. I have a line manager who I regularly report into, and communicate with about for my work, and who tracks my apprenticeship progress. Therefore, my line manager is able to identify when I may be falling behind and provides support to help rectify this. Also, I have managed to find two mentors through the internal mentoring site. They both help provide advice on different topics, and hence I feel fully supported. In general, I tend to find if I'm having any types of issues in any aspect of my work or apprenticeship, everyone is willing to help rectify that should I ask for it.

My salary manages to comfortable cover my living and travelling costs. I pay a monthly rental rate to my parents whilst I still live at home, but my cost to travel into London every day is quite expensive. It was more cost-effective to buy an annual travel card, but this turned out to be quite expensive as an up-front cost. Therefore, LBG helped ease these initial costs by providing a loan to cover travel costs, which I found very helpful and much more manageable. I can still quite comfortably cover these costs, enjoy regular social activities with my friends, and still save money.

I personally feel the opportunities for company social activities depend on the team you are placed in, as some are more inclined to organise social activities outside of work more regularly than others. Therefore, it depends on the team you are placed within. However, there are always networking events which any LBG colleague is able to join up to, which can help increase the social interaction between teams.

Yes

I definitely feel like LBG is a good place to work and would recommend it because the future job opportunities are endless. Due to the large scale of the Programme, there is always the opportunity to move about into a role that you may find better suited. Also, I feel like the support network cannot be compared to anywhere else.

From personal experience, the application process was quite a long one and took a long time to proceed - so just stick with it because it's definitely worth it. Be prepared in terms of interviews, and assessment days. In your interview, make sure to mention all of the activities you are involved in, such as brownies, scouts or being a football coach - just because you might be straight from school doesn't mean you're any less capable.