Actuarial Analyst Review
at Direct Line
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Insurance and Risk Management
London
Review Submitted: May 2021
Overall Rating
3.4 /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!
3.5/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
3/5
Run and make sense of financial models to ensure that the company holds enough reserves so that customers are protected in the event of a claim.
My role also involves running processes and understanding results to make sure enough capital is held that the company does not become insolvent as this is bad repuatantionally with regulators, customers and shareholders.
My role also involves running processes and understanding results to make sure enough capital is held that the company does not become insolvent as this is bad repuatantionally with regulators, customers and shareholders.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy the content that I am learning on my programme.
It is really difficult balancing work and studying for the IFoA qualifications as well as the extra apprenticeship work.
Some managers in the team are really positive and keen for you to grow, whereas others are not unfortunately.
It is really difficult balancing work and studying for the IFoA qualifications as well as the extra apprenticeship work.
Some managers in the team are really positive and keen for you to grow, whereas others are not unfortunately.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
- Communication
- Coding (R, VBA, SAS)
- Stakeholder management
- Enhanced skills working with software (Igloo, ResQ, Microsoft office products)
- Coding (R, VBA, SAS)
- Stakeholder management
- Enhanced skills working with software (Igloo, ResQ, Microsoft office products)
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The areas run by the apprenticeship supplier, BPP, are really well run and I've been really impressed. The induction was fluid, the training is good and they offer good support.
The flip side is that the support from work has not been ideal. It was agreed at the start that the apprentices would have 20% off the job training (think study days, internal training, portfolio preparation etc), so far only the study days and some internal training has been granted. Everything else needs to come from your personal time and when you are studying for the IFoA exams you have very limited time.
The flip side is that the support from work has not been ideal. It was agreed at the start that the apprentices would have 20% off the job training (think study days, internal training, portfolio preparation etc), so far only the study days and some internal training has been granted. Everything else needs to come from your personal time and when you are studying for the IFoA exams you have very limited time.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
1/5
Not as much as promised.
As my team is under-resourced we are not able to get the 20% off the job training and work towards the KSBs and portfolio needs to be done in external time.
Apprentices from other areas in the business are supported more than my area.
From my experience of challenging this and "doing the right thing", you get told that the team are unable to afford the resource.
As my team is under-resourced we are not able to get the 20% off the job training and work towards the KSBs and portfolio needs to be done in external time.
Apprentices from other areas in the business are supported more than my area.
From my experience of challenging this and "doing the right thing", you get told that the team are unable to afford the resource.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
My advisor is really nice and readily available if I need help which is nice.
The study materials provided are vast and the tutorials I attend are really useful. I do enjoy the support that I receive from the training provider they are very enthusiastic which is refreshing. There are several outlets to have questions answered.
The study materials provided are vast and the tutorials I attend are really useful. I do enjoy the support that I receive from the training provider they are very enthusiastic which is refreshing. There are several outlets to have questions answered.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I think there is a strong correlation between my apprenticeship and my job and being on the apprenticeship helps me do my job considerably better.
In a technical role such as mine you need to know some complex theory and apply it under pressure at work. The training provider often tries to link theoretical examples to real life work examples.
Having access to all study material as well helps solidify this information.
In a technical role such as mine you need to know some complex theory and apply it under pressure at work. The training provider often tries to link theoretical examples to real life work examples.
Having access to all study material as well helps solidify this information.
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
Occasional company events and socials.
Back in the office there was football and badminton on a weekly basis which was good fun.
Back in the office there was football and badminton on a weekly basis which was good fun.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Direct Line to a friend?
No
Why?
It depends on the area that the friend would go into.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Direct Line?
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Apprentice Customer Service adviser
at Direct Line
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
- Barnsley, South Yorkshire
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4.3
