Apprentice Relationship Manager Review
at NatWest Group
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Finance
Leeds
Review Submitted: June 2020
Overall Rating
4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Client management. Helping with any queries that come through from clients directly via email phone. Speaking with internal teams frequently. Understanding client businesses by speaking with representatives and helping relationship managers with face to face client meetings. During these meetings and interactions develop skills to help spot any lending opportunities which may arise, and listening to customer to their needs and help deliver what they expect from the their relationship they have with their bank.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Coming from a background in telephony and branch banking, making the move to the commercial banking has been great. This new role is way more varied and it gains you exposure to businesses and a whole host of different processes. Joy comes from the fact that we are able to help businesses survive, grow and expand by helping the client equip themselves with a host of skills to get the best out of their business.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Came from a background with banking which was mainly focused around personal and branch banking, so coming into commercial banking there has been a lot of skills to develop. New processes and plenty of systems to learn, with a strong focus being on relationship managing techniques. This will range from meeting planning, booking, note taking to every day client interactions on a whole range of issues. Will also be exposed to credit processes, so will learn how to put together a credit report and papers to help lending.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
the BPP side of the apprenticeship is very well structured. You are not thrown into completing the BPP side straight away and are given time to settle in the new role. Once BPP starts, you are given a whole host of resources, timetables, webinars, audios to help you complete the missions that are given to you. There is 8 pieces of marked work throughout the course which can span a year or so with an exam to do at the end too.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
There is plenty of support given form my employer. There is a lot of senior management available in the office from different teams so there is always someone to speak too to gain insight and exposure. Employer is aware of the apprenticeship and will allocate time on a weekly basis to allow you to complete the BPP work exclusively. There is a big focus on development and career opportunities, so getting better is part of the core behaviors which are consistently showed.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Employer is aware of the apprenticeship and will allocate time on a weekly basis to allow you to complete the BPP work exclusively. The official time that is allocated is 20% of working hours that are required during a week, so basically a whole day. It is down to yourself to speak with your manager to agree time slots/days to be able to complete your qualification work. There is constant support from BPP as you are given your own coach to help you through the journey.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
All things that have been done with BPP have definitely helped your day to day role. Your dedicated coach will have experience in your field so with every conversation it is really catered towards your job and role. The actual qualification has many stages layered throughout, each covering a broad topic with the tasks for each focusing on smaller details. All tasks ask you to use experiences from your current role, so it all goes hand in hand.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There has always been a strong focus for extra-curricular. events during this role. Most banks have a strong focus on their local community, and there is a monthly opportunity to help charities and the community with the role. As there is a lot of teams where you are based there is also different events for different teams. Professional events are very common too so you can expect something to be in your calendar on a monthly basis.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NatWest Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
This apprenticeship has helped me develop certain skills and skills that will be transferable to future roles, either within the same bank or elsewhere in the finance industry. The qualification you work towards is a well respected certificate and can really help you take the next steps. There is constant support from both the bank and BPP to help you develop and secure better roles. BPP is very well thought out and structured, whilst your day job will allow fantastic experiences.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest Group?
The bests tips I can give to anyone who applies to this or any other apprenticeship is be yourself and be clear in your motivators and your future goals and aspirations. If you are clear and motivated, you will be able to make great relationships, both internally and externally and really expand your professional network which will be of use huge benefit when looking to progress your career. As always, you will get the most out of something like this if you are prepared to a lot in.
