Investment Consulting Apprentice Review
at Aon
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance
London
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
3.3 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3/5
-
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
I am an apprentice in the Investment Consulting department. I work in client team to help Trustees of pension schemes manage their investment portfolio. I am the main "doer" of tasks such as quarterly monitoring report, providing market updates, drafting meeting papers and other administration tasks. Sometimes, I join client meetings and provide an update to the client about what has happened in the markets and their portfolio.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
2/5
To be honest, the apprenticeship programme is quite onerous as I'm not quite sure how it relates to my job. There's a lot of pressure from work already such as meeting paper deadlines, keeping on top of the administration tasks etc so the apprenticeship tasks (e.g. recording off-the-job training, evidencing, personal development plans) take up a lot of my time.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
I have improved my professional writing skills so much as I'm constantly learning from the more experienced colleagues, and learning new things through preparing for exams and attending internal and external webinars. My communication skills have improved drastically as I liaise with different parties on a daily basis, I get exposure from all different dimensions.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well organised as there is a set timetable which I try to stick to. The apprenticeship coordinator has monthly calls with me which helps me to keep at it as she sets tasks and deadlines for me. From the start of the programme, I understand what is required of me.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
Due to the nature of my work and my client teams, it is quite difficult for my employer/my colleagues to provide me with much support. I don't work with my manager in all my client teams. I'm not quite sure what you mean by "support" and how my employer can provide support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Plenty! Although most of the studying toward the professional qualification is done by myself and really depends on my own motivation, the training provider provides me with "teachers" and videos which explains the content I need to learn chapter by chapter. I also have a few study days where I can focus on revision.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
Revising and preparing for my exams has given me the knowledge which I won't have learnt through working on the job, this is helpful. The personal development plan also helps me to think about my goals and wok toward them. However, the other tasks such as OTJT and evidencing, I don't really see how they relate to my role and how they are helping me perform.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Due to the pandemic, it has been difficult to engage in social activities but sometimes someone organises one. However, due to resource constraints, we are always very busy and under pressure, it is almost impossible to stick to the contracted working hours. This makes it difficult to engage in extra-curricular activities. I personally prefer to keep a work relationship with my colleagues due to personal reasons.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Aon to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The people you work with in Aon has tons of experience and you can learn a lot when you're just observing them. You are treated as a member of the team and work alongside your colleagues in providing solutions to your clients. There are always goals to work towards and you will constantly develop yourself.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Aon?
Be prepared for the workload you will be given because it isn't like a school where you can do whatever you like. You will be treated like a professional. You will be expected to reach out and ask questions, observe and attend training sessions. Always follow the Aon guidelines.
