National Apprenticeship Week 2024 – Starting Your Career
Deciding what path to take after school can be a daunting decision, do you continue onto a Sixth Form, go to college, or consider an apprenticeship?
Apprenticeships are an exciting option, where you get hands-on training while simultaneously putting the skills you learn into practice.
As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2024, we spoke with Rushk Naqui and Teri Sandford.
Contributors
Teri Sandford and Rushk Naqui
Financial Crime Apprentices
Q: Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
TS: When looking to begin my career I was unsure on what path would be best. However, after plenty of research I found an apprenticeship would be the best way for me to learn and grow. I quickly came to realise that Financial Crime was the industry/role that I was most interested in and keen to learn more about. As an apprentice you get a chance to develop all areas of your work whilst gaining a qualification that helps you in your day to day work.
RN: From a practical perspective, an apprenticeship provided the platform to be able to support my family in a meaningful way in the immediate and near future. The apprenticeship model also created a structure and support system that surrounds me, which I was not guaranteed at university. I also found the prospect of being in an environment with world-class professionals inspirational and an opportunity to change my perspective.
Q: What kind of tasks have you completed / do you complete on a daily basis?
TS: On a daily basis I conduct Customer Due Diligence checks/ reports for the onboarding of all new internal clients and for counterparties on behalf of external clients.
RN: My role is to help uphold and expand the firms risk management and compliance functions. Some of the tasks include; Assessing all criminal, regulatory or adverse media reports related to our clients as well as studying the risk and regulatory landscape.
Q: What has been your biggest challenge during your apprenticeship so far?
TS: Balancing apprenticeship work with your day-to-day work can be challenging at times. However, this can be made easier by developing a timetable/ schedule to split your day to day from your apprenticeship. I personally found this developed my time management skills and allowed me to split my time appropriately and effectively.
RN: 14 months into my Financial Crime apprenticeship I was offered a 3-month secondment to the Regulatory Compliance team. Having to adapt to this new role while aiming to maintain the standards already set by the team was an enriching experience, my new tasks tested my capabilities and forced me to grow.
Q: What do you hope to be doing in five years’ time?
TS: I hope to have achieved my ICA Qualification and have progressed to a more senior level within the Financial Crime Team.
RN: I hope to have more responsibility, be more knowledgeable and become someone my colleagues can turn to for expertise.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you could give to someone who’s looking for an apprenticeship?
TS: My recommendation is to research as much as you can to find an apprenticeship best suited to you within an area that you are interested in and keen to develop for your career. Also, keep an open mind when listening to and searching for opportunities.
RN: Take advantage of the support available. There are charities and organisations dedicated towards mentoring young people and assisting them at every stage of the apprenticeship process. I would not be in this position without the help I received from the wonderful people at these places.
Langham Hall offers a diverse range of apprenticeships spanning from our operations, HR and compliance team to internal accounts and Technical/Systems. We are keen to widen the range of departments that support apprenticeships as the development of young talent ensures we are training staff from the bottom up. Team growth and succession planning are key to our talent strategy and apprentices are become increasingly important in supporting this aspect of our growth plans.
At Langham Hall apprentice’s sign-up to an 18 month or 3-year apprenticeship depending on the level of qualification they are completing. They are assigned to a specific department or business area where their job role directly relates to their qualification. Each apprentice has a mentor to support them through their qualification and study leave to allow time to complete their training programme.
If you are interested in our apprenticeship opportunities, reach out to our HR team or view our latest vacancies here.
