Financial Markets Apprentice Review

Depending on the rotation, it varies - it can range from basic administrative tasks to creating spreadsheets, presentations, conducting market research, reviewing and interpreting market data etc.

I knew very little about financial markets before starting, so with the exams as well as having access to industry experts, I've learnt a lot. From the technical terms and acronyms, to improving soft skills such as communication and professionalism, I've definitely made strives.

To put it nicely, its been a rollercoaster. They changed the programme midway through (we applied to a level 6 apprenticeship and ended up in a level 4), and there has been a lack of consistency with communication and structure; however, the programme is still relatively new and and there has been some changes. Just be prepared to be frustrated at times and have patience.

As mentioned above, the programme lacks consistency and they're not the most receptive to criticism or questions at times. Also, some times its the luck of the draw when it comes to rotations; there might be a disparity in what you might learn on one desk, compared to another apprentice on another desk because there isn't a clear outline of objectives we all need to be learning, so you'll have to be super proactive. However, they do seem to be making changes yoy so we'll see what happens with the next cohort; I'm not too optimistic but it does seem to be improving.

They have been relatively supportive in some aspects but communication could do with improving.

Fitch have been OK. The do technically have the resources but you have to do a lot of the driving.

The exams give you a basic level of understanding that at least makes you some what clued up so that you've got a decent foundation by the time you get onto the desk. However, some of the exam material isn't as relevant to some of the desks, so without putting it into practice you could forget a lot of it.

They have some social networks, but they are not too well advertised so you would have to seek them out, but as for professional networking activities, there are some hosted every few months.

Yes

Im torn between yes and no because it is an innovative and great opportunity to break into such a lucrative and competitive industry, but the execution is stressful. You have to be mentally prepared and there isn't much room for mistakes; you have to be a particular type of person because mistakes are remembered. However, as mentioned before it is still a great opportunity if done the way they like.

definitely be a self starter, and prepare to go above and beyond. They say its fine if you don't know much about the industry but doing preliminary research wouldn't hurt.