Leadership and Management Higher Apprentice Review

by Barclays

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

6/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

My role within Barclays is Operations Manager. I manage a team of cashiers and look after all operations within the Branch. This consists of cash management, performance management, safety and security, process and procedures, HR, FCA compliance, health and safety and lots more.

10/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I started this role straight after completing my A levels so i have basically learnt all of my current skills in the role.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I have enjoyed the roles that i have done throughout Barclays. However i have found that there is very little communication between the early careers team and my line managers which means that no one knows what to do when they get a higher apprentice. I have had mixed reviews from my managers where some have been supportive and helped to develop me whilst some have left me unmotivated and bored with little to do.

5/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

Very poor organisation. No communication between the early careers team and line managers. No guidance for managers who are getting a higher apprentice on what they should do with them which leads to slow uptake in development and being left in roles with nothing to do. [This section of the comment has been removed by a member of the RateMyApprenticeship Team because it did not meet our site terms and conditions] You can not get in touch with the early careers team when you need something urgently. If you email someone it takes a month to get a response and then you do not get a good answer to your question.

1/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

I get a huge amount of support from my current line manager however this is one of the only people who have supported me within Barclays.

1/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

The university are very supportive and helpful. They appreciate that you are working full time and are very empathetic about this.

10/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

The qualification has very little, if any connection to my role. Whilst it is a leadership qualification, I am yet to use anything from my degree within my role.

3/10

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.)

Not really but its work so that shouldn't be an expectation. If someone wanted to organise something then they would be more than welcome.

8/10

9a. Would you recommend Barclays to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

They have looked after their staff very well during covid 19 which has showed just how much they care about staff well being. It is also a company with a lot of job security in my opinion which is good for most people

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Barclays?

Barclays moto is "Customer Obssessed" so make sure you are too. This means link all your answers in the recruitment process to the benefit of the customer. (This is for all roles, even ones that arent customer facing)