Graduate management trainee Review

my role is to gain an overview of my business function by working with different areas of the function and supporting the various management structures within my area. i am currently line managing a small team working remotely from home and helping them to adapt to this through reviewing the procedures and processes for improvement solutions to benefits colleagues and customers. i carry out 121's, provide feedback, handle issues impacting the teams workload and manage team resource. I also carry out tasks and assignments linked to my learning to evidence the different behaviours and skills I am developing. I have two mentors within the business who are able to give me objective advice and guidance about any concerns I have or support I need.

Yes, i have been able to further develop my management and communication skills through working with others. i have also developed new time management tools to help me with my workload and commitments. i have been able to gain insight into wider areas of the business through having mentors and visits to departments to gain knowledge. Through my qualification i have learned more about the different styles of management and communication and how i can adapt these to help me in my role on a day to day basis. I have learned a lot about coaching methods and practices since joining the society through different in house training courses I have been able to attend.

My programme has given me lots of amazing opportunities to explore other areas of the business that I may not have gotten at this stage in my career had I not been on it. I really appreciate the different elements of my role such as day to day working, off the job learning and getting involved with additional projects that keeps me engaged with a variety of things to work on in the day or week.

I have been given lots of training and support from the start. Starting with a welcome event and induction training. Since then I have had lots of ongoing in house training to help me in my role. I have support In the form of my line manager, graduate programme manager and mentor. I'm also fortunate to be part of an early talent community within my business with other graduates and apprentices which allows me to feel connected to others within the business on a similar journey to myself

I receive regular on going support from my line manager with check ins and one to one's as well as my placement manager who likes to gain feedback on how the programme is running regularly. My employers are very welcoming of us on the graduate programmes and apprenticeship schemes involving us in projects across the business to help us learning more about the business and our colleagues as we go through this experience. I'm able to raise any concerns or feedback I have with my line manager or placement manger and this always gets addressed.

I have had a mixed experience with my training provider and am providing ongoing feedback. I have found the resources used to be very engaging and help my learning. Specifically during lockdown my learning provider has adapted their delivery methods so that it doesn't feel like anything has changed from moving our sessions from in person to over video call. They are available to answer queries and questions I have around my work and point me In the direction of further resources if needed.

My qualification has given me the opportunity to explore the theory behind what I take for granted in my day to date role allowing me to reflect on how I approach my role as a leader for example my leadership style and communication style. This awareness gives me the chance to adapt my approach when needed to achieve the best outcome or result. My qualification has certainly provided me with information on self management tools that I wasn't aware of previously and these have helped me in planning out my time more effectively.

Yes I have been able to get to know some of the other apprentices within the business through the "early talent fresher's week" held shortly after my induction. In addition to this I have the opportunity to help support the business at recruitment and networking events which is something I didn't expect. Within the office it is very sociable and often nights out are arranged for people to socialise outside of work. There are lots of challenges shared within the business that people can do in their own time as part of a group such as wellbeing related challenges and charity fundraising activities.

Yes

I based my experience at Newcastle Building Society in comparison to the previous organisation I worked for and Newcastle is so much more open and welcoming. There is a real focus on people and doing the right thing. I find that my views and opinions are welcomed and I am really given the opportunity to grow as a person here. I feel like I can really be myself as well as progress myself professionally here.

Take the opportunities that are there because there are many chances to learn and progress yourself but you have to take them. If you are someone who likes to drive change and improvement you will be welcomed at Newcastle.