Collections apprentice Review

My usual day involves speaking to Customers that have or are due to fall into arrears. I will have discussions around their affordability and ways in which they can have their arrears caught back up. Each day at work I must ensure that I comply with the FCA regulations to ensure that there is no adverse affect on either the customer or the business. To meet these regulations I must give factual information and make sure that any arrangements set with the customer are affordable for them. Each customer has a different reason/story to why they have fallen into arrears which not only keeps the day fresh but also keeps you on your toes as you just never know what the customer is going to say!

The training here at VWFS is very thorough which is brilliant as coming from school and retail work is nothing like the job I do now. The two Skills I would say that I have developed the most here would be listening and questioning. While in collections there are customers that could have gone through a rough time. Listening to each customer allows you to gather an understanding of their situation which then means a more direct route to solving their problems. This sounds so simple but is definitely something I never put much thought to before starting here. Listening is a powerful skill and you would be surprised to how much you can learn instead of hearing but listening. My questioning skills have also been improved significantly while being at VWFS. Before working in collections I would say that I asked very closed questions that lead straight to the point. While working for VWFS I have found that more open questions can make the job so much easier while also gaining a better understanding of their situation.

For me, this Is the perfect apprenticeship. I have a love for cars and a passion for finance and this course blends the two. Every single day here I am working with cars so don't really feel like I am at work but instead on a day out, if that makes any sense? For the apprenticeship side of things I like how I am left to do what I need to do. While the work is similar to what I was doing in 6 form I feel I am being treated as an employee and not a student. Essentially, I know what Is expected of me and I get to it on each apprentice day.

My apprenticeship is well structured. I know what tasks I have to completed and for when by. I am also given a sort of schedule which essentially outlines what I need to do and when I need it done by. While there are days in which I am not 100% sure what I need to do, they are few and far between and a quick question of a manger puts me In the right direction.

VWFS couldn't be more supportive. Each week I am given the time I need to be able to complete my course as well as any support requested from trainers. If there is anything you could possibly need I can be sure that VWFS would look to accommodate. I often have meetings with my manger to ensure that I am on the right track.

My trainer is always on the ball. She always ensures that some form of work is set for me and checks to make sure that I understand the work set. I also have meetings with her at least once a month whether that be remote or in a meeting room, but either work.

my training is focused around regulation of financial companies and also the products that companies such as VWFS offer. This means that I can become very aware of not only VWFS but also the market it operates in and the competition it faces. The blend of the training and the experience is definitely helping me develop quickly.

I do not currently get involved but look to join some sort of football team in the summer

Yes

VWFS are very supportive and will treat you like both an individual and as an adult. They are great at realising what your strengths and weaknesses are and not only just stating them but helping you build from them. The working environment is also something out of a movie, everything is modern and quite posh!

As typical as this sounds, be yourself. VWFS want to see the passion that you have naturally and not a forced behaviour. I would also say that make sure that you're applying for something that you want to do an have an interest in. Just applying for the role because its a big company to work for will land you the role. You should look to sell your benefits and passion for the industry. Let your light shine!