Shaping Careers, Inspiring Growth
Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) is committed to providing exceptional apprenticeship opportunities, welcoming talent from all backgrounds and ensuring every apprentice is supported on their journey. Each programme is delivered through a dynamic collaboration between LBG, a specialist training provider, and a relevant End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), tailored to the apprenticeship.
For those undertaking the Level 6 Financial Services Professional apprenticeship, a degree-level qualification, Kaplan leads the training while DSW conducts the End-Point Assessment (EPA). Understanding that apprentices often miss out on the traditional university experience, Kaplan has taken proactive steps to foster networking, knowledge-sharing, and a strong professional community. A standout example was the ‘Take 2!’ event, held at Lloyd’s flagship Bristol office on Thursday, 30 January, where over thirty apprentices gathered for an inspiring day of workshops and collaboration.
A Day of Motivation & Professional Development
This was the second event for the 2022 and 2023 cohorts, building on the momentum of a previous session supported by the Chartered Banker Institute (CBI). With the 2022 apprentices gearing up for their EPA and the 2023 cohort preparing project plans, Kaplan enlisted DSW to run an interactive workshop on how to craft an outstanding project submission. Led by Jake Tween, the session featured hands-on activities to keep apprentices engaged, motivated, and learning from one another.
LBG apprentices are no strangers to career progression – many earn promotions while completing their programmes. To support this, Kaplan tutor Chris Brook delivered an insightful session on leadership and management styles, helping apprentices develop essential skills for career advancement. Sharon Morgan from the LBG Apprenticeships team shared valuable insights on navigating ‘squiggly careers,’ alongside guest speakers Charlie Brock-Lowthian and Andrew Smele. Their inspiring stories underscored the importance of lifelong learning and continuous career development.
Building Confidence, Driving Success
The energy in the room was electric as apprentices took full advantage of this unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow. Their feedback highlights just how valuable these sessions are:
Jon Awuah: “The event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with colleagues and gain valuable insights into Portfolio Construction, Gateway, and EPAs. I particularly enjoyed the practical examples and interactive discussions about the various leadership styles and how these may impact organisational success.”
Tom Talbot: “Thank you for your time for organising the event yesterday. It was a very beneficial event and great to be able to meet with our cohort.”
Mehitabel Mensah: “It was a lovely event with lots of collaboration and I really appreciate that you guys have spent time improving on the feedback that was given earlier in the year.”
Elizabeth Haylock: “I just wanted to show my appreciation for arranging yesterday’s Cohort meet up!! I had a great time and loved getting to know everyone. I am really interested in the awards both LBG and Kaplan have to offer and would love some advice on how I can do more to get recognised. Secondly, I would love to hear more about apprenticeship week and how I can support the wider apprentice community.”
Expert Reflections: Inspiring the Next Generation
Jake Tween, who led the project workshop, shared his thoughts on the experience:
“Getting out and meeting apprentices is the most rewarding part of my job. Their enthusiasm, questions, and willingness to share insights made this an unforgettable session. A fantastic event – I hope to be part of the next one!”
Sharon Morgan, Apprenticeship Development Manager at LBG, echoed this sentiment:
“Bringing our Level 6 Financial Services apprentices together for a high-energy development day was an absolute pleasure. The event was packed with career planning, leadership training, and a hands-on workshop to prepare for the EPA. We also had the privilege of hearing from LBG leaders about their own career journeys and strategies for staying motivated. The feedback speaks for itself – apprentices left feeling inspired, confident, motivated and ready for their next steps.”
Looking Ahead: Inspiring the Next Generation
The journey doesn’t end here. As LBG, Kaplan and DSW continue to support apprentices in achieving their goals, events like this serve as powerful catalysts for motivation, collaboration, and professional success. We’re excited to see what the future holds for these talented individuals!