Rating

6/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • Provide efficient and effective support of business batch systems in a 24x7 production environment. Support being defined as implementing change, fixing problems and continuously improving batch jobs and processes. I engage in the resolution of problems, identify software and procedural issues, provide a range of solutions and implement those selected and evaluate proposals or proposed changes and input to decisions on acceptability on the basis of quality, risk, business impact and priorities. I will implement quality assured changes to fix problems and to deploy new applications.

    8/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Batch scheduling experience with in-depth product knowledge of CA-7 and Autosys, knowledge and proven experience with JCL, A good understanding of REXX code, user of Endevor, JCLPREP, ISPF, SDSF and Connect Direct, user of data mining tools e.g. SAS, ICETOOL. Good experience with basic Batch job troubleshooting and resolve issues.

    8/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • We get to earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. If you are entering work for the first time, you will start earning from day one of your Apprenticeship. You work towards a work-based qualification. Employers all over the country recognise and value Apprenticeships as they show that you’ve been trained in the skills they need.

    6/10

  • 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • The program can definitely be structured better and the communication can also be improved. There is no real structure in place for on the job learning which is something that RBS need to improve for the future. There is also no scope for movement and any career progression within the same domain will be blocked so you are locked into your 2 years. Also the roll off process onto a permanent appointed role required hard graft as they will try to keep you on the clerical salary for as long as possible.

    1/10

  • 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • The support from the RBS apprenticeship team is improving but still requires more input to help with any issues such as programme structure and communication about the whole process in general. The support from our provider BPP is also quite poor and it was again a slow start as there were many issues that took time to iron out. The only real positive was the support that i received from my team and they have really welcomed me and made me feel part of the team. They are also always on hand to help me with any issues and also willing to lend a hand even when the topic is not their expertise. So if it wasn't for my team the score would be 1/10

    8/10

  • 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
  • The support from our provider BPP is also quite poor and it was again a slow start as there were many issues that took time to iron out. They have been poor in marking and have been constantly issuing extensions to the deadlines due to issues from the learning portal.

    3/10

  • 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
  • The mod ules i do has no resemblance to my day to day role and that has been constantly fed back to the team. Although they have taken it on board and have tried to make it more relevant, the whole process still feels very out of place and disjointed.

    5/10

  • 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.)
  • Fishing Noodling Biking Boating Scuba diving and snorkeling Hot air ballooning, flying, and gliding Baseball or softball Volleyball Walking Hiking Running marathons Mountain climbing Camping RVing Spelunking (caving) Tennis Golf Horseback riding Skiing or snowboarding Dancing Swimming Football Riding roller coasters Traveling Soccer Bungee jumping Basketball Doing triathlons Geo-caching Surfing and windsurfing

    9/10

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


  • 9b. Why?
  • If you get manage to get placed in a good team doing something you enjoy then i would say the pros outweigh the cons but you dont get a say in what team you go into. I would say apply and give it a go and if you dont like it then just leave.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest?
  • Dont be fooled by the advertisements. Speak to someone doing the apprenticeship as there are decent learning opportunities however you have to work hard to get them. Especially if it requires extra money like going on external courses. Overall i would say if you land yourself in a supportive team like mines then you will be fine but if you're team is also causing you issue then it might not be the best when combined with all the other issues with RBS so called "policies" and BPP's communication


Details

Level 3 Apprenticeship

Edinburgh

May 2019


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