Courtney Ward had been working for Lloyds for over 6 years when the pandemic hit.
She had started as Branch Network Customer Advisor and transitioned into Banking Consultant Mortgage Advisor, advising customers face to face.
In response to Covid, Lloyds moved some processes to remote delivery, moving appointments, interviews, and document uploads online. As Lloyds trained their staff in these new systems, Courtney was impressed by the way technology made complex processes such as mortgages or home insurance smoother and more flexible.
“From school I’d always had an interest in technology; I did Maths, Physics, and Chemistry at 6th Form.
After Covid, the way mortgage technology was developing, it seemed like a great opportunity to get a qualification.”
Courtney had started out as a Customer Service Apprentice when she first joined Lloyds, so this was not her first time studying on the job. She chose apprenticeships over shorter, more intense courses or bootcamps because she found them easier to integrate with a full-time role.
“This opportunity came at the right time when I wanted a change from customer-facing roles to backend IT.
Apprenticeships give you the opportunity to learn your role as you’re doing it, and there’s no risk of having no job at the end!”
Courtney saw the advert on the Lloyds Apprenticeship Hub, applied in December ‘21, received an offer in April ‘22, and started at the end of May.
As part of her apprenticeship, Courtney works in the Data team. Their scope is very broad, which helps gain exposure in many areas of the business and, as the programme is flexible, she’s able to choose her projects and portfolio pieces.
Her line manager at Lloyds is very supportive of personal development, and she really enjoys catching up with her Firebrand Learning Mentor, Jenny Howard. “She’s always very prompt with feedback, especially portfolio projects; our catch-ups are really good too!”
Her favourite part of the course? There are many, from the flexibility of the programme, where “projects connect to real business needs and give you a well-rounded experience,” to the residential courses at the Firebrand training centre in Bedfordshire.
She looks forward to her EPA this July, and, afterwards, hopes to start a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University, focusing on Digital and Tech Solutions.
Her advice?
“Find out what works best for you. I never went to uni because I wasn’t sure which role I wanted to have at the end;
I also wanted to get work experience at the same time as studying, not to mention avoid university debt!”
Good luck on your EPA!