Operations Leader Review

by Barclays

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

9/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

I am an operations leader in Barclays running the Quality Assurance function for complaints that come to Customer Relations, Branch, Skybranch, Barclaycard and Wealth. I also then directly manage a team of 10 Customer Quality Enablers - so this involves holiday/absence management, overseeing of the team work load, development and 121's with the team. I also manage the relationship with the operations we provide quality assurance on. Most recently there have been projects to bring new areas of the bank under our E2E QA model

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

CeMAP, working towards the higher apprenticeship with ARU. I have picked up project management tools and also networking skills that are supporting me with the projects going on

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

Really enjoy it, the other students are great and the lecturers know their subjects and present really well for the most part. I have enjoyed getting the theory and strategy behind other areas of the business that aren't my own.

10/10

4. How valued do you feel by Barclays?

More so since starting the course and being invested in. I do feel my contribution is valued and the company wants me to develop and stay with them.

8/10

5. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Organisation has been great, study blocks and logistics are so far in advance I can really plan ahead.

10/10

6a. How much support do you receive from your training provider?

Lots - I have a personal tutor and we can all contact the lecturers on the course if needed. There is access to libraries and systems via the university that are very helpful.

9/10

6b. How much support do you receive from your employer?

A good amount - it is tough trying to still do a full time job and I'd appreciate more leave around deadline dates - but at the moment I get one day every fortnight off work to study and this has been honoured.

8/10

7. How well does your salary/package meet your costs?

It doesn't cost me anything to complete the course - travel and accommodation/food have been covered and the bank pays the fees.

8/10

8. Are there many opportunities outside of work?

There are but as I am location independent in my role I rarely get an opportunity to participate. I try to do days in branch (working together initiative) and the Lifeskills events to get out and mingle

8/10

9. Would you recommend Barclays to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

I feel they are a good stable company, with good ethics that will invest in their colleagues

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Barclays?

To ensure you agree with the company values before getting involved, otherwise you won't be as engaged and satisfied as you could be