Customer Operations Apprentice Review

I am currently in underwriting so my role is to assess potential customer's credit history and decide if they are eligible for finance. We keep in constant contact with the retailer who send the deals through to us, over the phone and over email. We have to underwrite 20 an hour.

I have definitely learnt a lot of new skills. I feel like now I am a lot more confident speaking on the phone and I have gained a lot of knowledge in our industry. I have also developed lots of people skills and I'm no longer shy in an office setting.

I really enjoy my programme and be able to meet people from all over customer operations so I can build my network. It's a good opportunity to move departments every 4 - 6 months as now I have skills and knowledge from all around and can use that in my day to day role.

The programme itself isn't very well structured. My trainer from FWD doesn't keep in constant contact with me and I find myself waiting days - weeks for a response at times. In order to do well at this course you definitely need to be an independent learner as you don't get a lot of support course wise.

I receive a lot of support from my employer, I get 7 hours apprenticeship time a week to allow me to study and do my coursework. In every department they have been supportive of my time apart from my current one which urges me to do work based things in my apprenticeship time instead of allowing me to focus on my course.

My trainer from FWD doesn't keep in constant contact with me and I find myself waiting days to weeks for a response at times. In order to do well at this course you definitely need to be an independent learner as you don't get a lot of support.

Doing my exam definitely helped me in my day to day role. I now know the FCA's regulations and how it impacts our industry and business if we do not follow them. It helps me perform my job to a high standard and help others to do so too.

I take part in the 'love to bike scheme' at work, it encourages employees to bike to work instead of drive everyday. They're lots of opportunities to take part in workshops which help build your professional profile and lunchtime sessions ranging from healthy living advice to lessons on taxes.

Yes

I can't fault my experience at VWS overall. Everyone is so welcoming and makes you feel important to the business. I enjoy my job and the atmosphere in the office, it makes such a big difference being happy at work in your everyday life and I would highly recommend working here.

To make sure you including our company values in your cover letter, especially integrity and what that means you. That may be a question that comes up in your interview as it is one of our key values. Make sure you come across confident and that you really want to work here.