Connel Laing
Financial Crime Apprenticeship with Santander.
Left School
March 2022.
Senior Phase
In S4 I achieved National 5 (SCQF level 5) in Business Management, Computing Science, Chemistry, English, Music and History.
In S5 I achieved Higher (SCQF level 6) in English, Business Management and Higher Admin & IT
In S6 I achieved Advanced Higher (SCQF level 7) Business Management, SCQF 7 Communication Skills for Business Management and SCQF 6 Young Enterprise.
Choosing my Destination
Most of the advice I got was online through TikTok, Linkedin and my own research on the UK Government website.
Many companies such as KMPG, Santander, NatWest and Tesco run apprenticeship programs for school leavers ranging from Level 3 to Level 6.
Extra Curricular & Work Experience
I was involved in a range of extra curricular activities including Prefects, Rights Respecting Schools and Young Enterprise. These allowed me to work on vital skills I use in the workplace everyday such as confidence, teamwork and resilience.
Skills I've developed
Throughout my time at SHS and Santander, I have developed a lot of skills which I use everyday including my confidence and resilience skills.
These are vital in the workplace as this can show you are a dedicated worker and that you both take pride and commitment to the work you do.
My Advice
TAKE RISKS! - Don’t follow the crowd and go to College/University as this isn’t the only option. Get yourself out there on LinkedIn and network with people in your dream field.
When I was 13, I would have never of thought I would be living in England and working for one of Europe’s biggest banks.
