Analyst Review
at NatWest Group
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Finance
London
Review Submitted: March 2023
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
3.4/5
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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
I work in corporate coverage, which means my team acts as a relationship manager for large companies to help them raise money through various debt products. As a coverage banker, I talk to many different teams within the bank to make sure my clients have the best possible service. My day to day involves financial modelling, behind the scenes admin, managing CRM and records.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I'm enjoying my program a lot. I feel as involved with the day to day tasks as the other grads/associates and the qualification I'm studying is relevant to my role. We are very well supported by natwest and our training provider to make sure we know what we're supposed to be doing, how to do it best and when it needs to be done by.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Absolutely, I have been in role for just over 6 months and have learnt new things every single day. I did not have a finance background, so this is all very new to me. Constantly learning can be tiring at times, but it is really rewarding when you realize you fully understand a concept you had no idea about a few days prior. NatWest really encourages learning and there are training sessions every week. Anything you don't know can be found out by asking a colleague. Everyone is happy to explain things to you, no matter how senior.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
There is a timeline of events/deadlines to follow, however in terms of a formal structure there isn't really one. You're kind of just left to get stuck in and learn as you go, which suits someone like me who likes to learn practically on the job - but if you're more comfortable with a strictly structured learning then this might be more difficult for you.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I receive a lot of support from my employer, more than I need. It is good in the way that the support you get is entirely flexible based on what you require. It isn't perfect - I'm aware of some other apprentices that don't feel they have as much support, but I think this is highly dependent on what team you're placed in and what you're like as a person.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
We get lessons from our training provider every week. They are live and interactive but I choose to catch up on them as recordings. We also get check ups with our coaches which helps explain how the program works (apprenticeships can be a bit confusing in terms of what you need to do).
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
3/5
The qualification is incredibly useful, despite being a general qualification. It helps you understand some of the wider concepts of banking that you might not get sight of everyday in your role. Banking/finance can be quite complex, so this qualification helps understand how it all works together, as well as a bit of the history of banking,
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
Yes there are social events, mostly in your teams of wider team. Personally, I do not attend many of these but they are certainly available to you if that is your kind of thing. There are a wide variety on offer, from bowling and drinks to fitness classes. There is something for everyone.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend NatWest Group to a friend?
Yes
Why?
NatWest is a fantastic place to begin your career in finance. It is a team working culture with a big emphasis on learning. There are a massive number of opportunities for promotion and moving throughout the bank. You can move into different teams for a few weeks or months if you want to see what it's like. The ability to do this is really useful early on in your career since you might not know what you want to do yet and there are so many roles in the bank that you might enjoy.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to NatWest Group?
Be yourself, make sure you display a solid track record and most importantly show enthusiasm. Being truly excited about the role is so important, show that you're interested in finance and the bank by looking on our 'about us' page or checking our LinkedIn to see what we're up to. Doing this really makes you stand out.
