Essential banker Review

Being on front line for customers at Barclays means I solve customers queries that involve their bank account. Examples include replacing cards, transfers between accounts, checking balances, sending statements and raising disputes and fraud cases. For customers that have issues with Barclaycard or want to apply for a loan, we also put customers through to the right team.

My confidence has grown while being in the job role of an essential banker, with talking to customers and colleagues. I have also been given responsibilities in the workplace that I am trusted with which has also made my confidence increase. I have also developed my communication skills by talking to new people and dealing with customers.

I do enjoy my apprenticeship at Barclays. With good colleagues on my team it has made the experience more enjoyable with people I get on with and are in the same boat as me. Managers have been helpful with developing my skills to be able to take calls more confidently and give a better experience to customers

Barclays has been organised well in some ways during my time so far. At the start we were given four weeks of online training and also listening in time with colleagues to see how the system worked and how to successfully take calls. When starting to take calls I sometime did feel unprepared and not ready but that got better over time

With apprenticeship work we have received support when we need it from our leader. IF we are ever stuck we can ask for help to get to where we need to be. They also encourage us to try and find answers ourselves first and if not they can help out.

If we ever need help with apprenticeship work we can ask for support to get where we need to be. Once a week we have time to work through our book doing one topic and answering questions to be ready for our exam. If we are stuck we are encouraged to try ourselves first and then if we are still stuck we can get help

By being given time each week to work on our apprenticeship work it makes me feel better about the exam that is coming up soon. Although we still have much to learn having these sessions does help. With the learning in the classroom, it can also help when on the phone and you learn more about banking

On the last Friday at every month we raise money for charities. We also have activities on for events like children in need. Activities like bake sales, bring in food to share amongst the colleagues on the floor and competitions to win prizes. I am not aware of any sports teams that we have at Barclays

Yes

From starting to Working at Barclays has helped me to develop new skills and also develop ones that I had prior to starting. For example, gaining more confidence and working as part of a team. The colleagues I have on the floor or friendly and help of we are stuck.

For new people starting at Barclays, I would advise them to keep on top of apprenticeship work because it can pile up if it is not done. The members of staff are friendly and are there to help you out if you need anything so you do not need to be scared to ask for help