Change and Problem Manager Review

My role is Change and Problem Management. I am also involved in DR work. Daily tasks involve approving changes, running meetings, clearing up problem management and DR. Clearing up problem management involves closing problem tickets and tasks, attaching RCAs to problem tickets, validating problem tasks and sending chaser emails for users to accept or close their problem tasks. For DR I review and sign off applications that have been DR tested. I also send out chaser emails for users to upload their TRP and provide us an ITDR test date. On a day to day basis I am constantly interacting with colleagues whether this be needing their help or they require help. I also run a meeting every day, sometimes more and so this involves me to be prepared and create agenda/minutes for the meeting.

I am constantly improving my existing skills and of course learning new skills. I completed my level 3 and 4 IT qualification which included completing Comptia A+. I am developing my skills and knowledge by CPD that I do online during work when I have spare time. This involves things like managing conflict, presentation skills, time management and goal setting. This is really useful to help develop my skills and bring to light new ones. I am also looking to complete the ITIL exam as I am in service delivery and feel this would be a great qualification to have, especially as my colleagues all have this qualification and have recommended it.

I am so grateful to have been given this opportunity at my company. I'm a very sociable person and my job role is great for socialising. I work with some of the best colleagues in my department and am able to learn a lot from them as they all have different backgrounds, skills and knowledge. The company overall is a fantastic place to work and would highly recommended people to apply for a job, apprentice or intern/grad scheme here. My company considers your family life and hobbies and so they are always looking to improves their schemes e.g. Maternity/Parental leave to make it beneficial for their employees. They like their employees to have a healthy balance and that's something not all companies take into consideration. My company is also full of culture and diversity which is amazing and take any discrimination very seriously.

The feedback I receive from my manager, team and colleagues has always been positive or constructive which is great. I have learned how to improved myself in many aspect based on their feedback. When achieving my qualifications and finishing my apprenticeship, HR/Managers will make it known that they are proud of your progress/achievements. For example after completing your apprenticeship levels, both 3 and 4, they will hold a ceremony to congratulate you with Senior Management and Head of HR and present you with an award.

The apprenticeship can be quite disorganised at times from the apprenticeship company perspective. My company are very good at keeping track of your progress and if there are any problems, they will sort it out immediately. However from my experience my apprenticeship company was very disorganised and didn't quite know what they were talking about at times. Sometimes I felt it was a complete mess. The support from my company was great but from my apprenticeship company/mentor, not so much. I was allowed as much time as I wanted to complete my studying during work, which not many companies allow. This allowed me to manage my time effectively in order to complete my studies on time. I did enjoy the units I completed throughout both level 3 and 4 of my apprenticeship. Some of the units or exam required training and my apprenticeship company did provide some really good training that allowed me to have time to focus on my studies.

My training provider had times where they were really great at providing support but other times not so much. I would be waiting ages for my work to be reviewed and to receive feedback which only delayed my progress and studies. I would have monthly meetings and then every couple months in person but could have phone support when my mentor was free. I felt the attitude of my mentor wasn't great at times which could be because he had too much work or was stressed out but should not be letting that affect how he works. Overall after my company had discussed the issues with my training provider, things did improve and I was given a lovely lady who would examine my work and provide feedback for every unit on one side of the apprenticeship. She was extremely helpful and provided a really good amount of detail and overall helped me to get merits and distinctions in my work.

I received excellent support from my Manager and team. They understood the importance of this apprenticeship and that I needed to complete my studies during work time as well as sit with other teams to complete them. My team has always been small of about 2-3 people and so the workload can be heavy at times but even then they would allow me time to study. HR would hold monthly meetings for apprentices to see if they needed any support/help and just a general catch up to see how everyone is doing. If an apprentice has any problems, managers and HR are more than happy to help out.

The salary is amazing for apprentices and the company definitely does take into consideration the living and travel costs, compared to what most apprenticeships offer. My company offer travel loans to those that need help or support which is a good benefit to have. My salary allows me to afford travel, food, pay rent, phone bills and still have enough to enjoy my social life or go travelling.

My company offers so much outside of work and even in work. They support a charity every year which means there are different events held every week or monthly to raise money. They hold quiz nights every so often, sport games and challenges. My company sends out emails every so often looking for volunteers for company events and charity events. My company has a gym in the building and so allows employees to join and workout to keep a healthy lifestyle but also hold fitness classes e.g. yoga and spin to support needs and hobbies that employees may have. The location of my company is great and there are many places nearby that allow employees to relax, workout, grab food but also have accessible stations nearby to travel anywhere they need to.

Yes

Nomura is a great company to work for and is highly recognised globally. It offers great benefits for all ages and all positions, whether you're and apprentice or a Executive Director in HR or IT. It's also an amazing building filled with great diverse people and can cater for any problems you have. For example if you need to see a doctor asap, we have one in the building that can help. The location of the building is also amazing and you get a really nice view of the Thames, shard and tower bridge.

Dress smartly, be organised and be prepared for all situations. As an apprentice I had one interview with two employees. I have heard some have had 3 or 4 interviewers and have had a couple interviews. So make sure you're prepared. I would research the company and the job role so you are prepared for any questions that may arise. Research typical job interview questions and have answers written down and keep reviewing them. For myself my interview went smoothly and I was given a call to let me know I got the job from my apprenticeship company. Nomura had then sent me a contract, employee handbook and their policies and processes to read through and sign. Once this was all done, my first day was collecting my pass and meeting my team and others and just generally getting myself started. Others will have different onboarding processes so I cannot account for those as I am not aware of the process. Make sure you are smiling and positive throughout your interview and onboarding process.