Rating

9.8/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • As a technical analyst I work between the areas of Business and Technology, analysing business requirements and helping to define a technical solution. I work on multiple projects, engaging with stakeholders and providing challenge when reviewing project plans. My job is to research existing technology systems and work with Solution Architects to build new systems and processes.

    10/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • I've learnt all about Agile methodologies and further developed my coding skills. Furthermore I've developed a set of analytical skills and worked towards gaining professional accreditation. These skills are made up of business process modelling, requirements gathering and interview techniques, that since learning I have put into practise on multiple projects.

    10/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoy not just coming into work but also all of the additional activities that are made available to me for working here. I'm involved in helping to teach kids to code, exercise clubs, and networking skills development societies. I'm able to make use of flexible working and manage my own workload around my studies.

    10/10

  • 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • My programme consists of around two days out of office per month. During those two days I complete the majority of my coursework and have around an hour a week of additional study towards my qualification. I gain my first qualification at the end of the first year and carry onto an additional qualification in my second year.

    10/10

  • 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • My employer conducts weekly meeting to have a general catch up and discuss my workload. So far since starting six months ago I've also been allowed to attend three training courses outside of my apprenticeship to further my learning. I've put together a development plan with a senior leader in my team to help aim my career towards my next role.

    10/10

  • 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
  • The support I receive is extremely useful when I'm struggling to fit in my studies around my workload/ lifestyle. I'm able to work from home to avoid all the distractions of the office and completely go offline to allow me to work on my qualifications. I'm also able to take Friday afternoons to either follow up on any additional work or commit to other self development tasks.

    10/10

  • 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
  • My role and my qualification are quite different. My role is more specialised and focused towards helping with the delivery of enterprise level software, whilst my training is focused on hardware systems and networks. Whilst not directly related I do feel that it helps my understanding to gain wider knowledge of technology ecosystems.

    8/10

  • 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
  • I am able to compete with five-a-side football teams during lunch times or after work. There is a 5km running track around my building that I sometimes like to run around in lunch hours. I am involved with employee led networks that aim to help career development or just provide networking opportunities,

    10/10

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


  • 9b. Why?
  • The work life balance that RBS offers is unlike others that I've experienced before and very different to anything my friends experience at the companies they work for. The transformation of the bank has meant that there is a real focus on wellbeing and creating products & services that make an impact on peoples lives.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?
  • If your applying for RBS you should research the company that it is today rather than what it was 10 years ago. RBS has a culture of inclusion and values that include working together, it's more important that you fit into that culture and those values than your background or school grades.


Details

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Information Technology

Edinburgh

April 2019


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