Kellie Milne is a former Operations Graduate
Trainee at Standard Life Investments in Edinburgh, Scotland.
She completed the IAQ™ as part of Standard Life Investments’
Operations Graduate Training Programme and was an Award Winner in
the Introduction to Securities & Investment category at the
2008 CISI Scottish Summer Reception and Awards.
The operations graduate training programme is devised
specifically to develop future operations managers with the broad
ranging skills and experience needed to succeed in a sophisticated
investments arena. It lasts two years and entails a series of
placements in the key business areas of Investment Operations.
Emphasis is placed on practical training with first hand experience
of delivering superior performance, profit targets and developing
business solutions to respond to a diverse array of challenges
whilst learning how to manage people and processes. Professional
and managerial development is the goal of this programme and
various qualifications including the Investment Administration
Qualification (IAQ) and Investment Management Course (IMC) are
mandatory undertakings.
About the course tutors
“The course tutors have an uncanny knack of making a relatively dry
subject such as Investment Regulations interesting and enjoyable.
They are friendly and approachable, making you feel totally
comfortable with asking questions and requesting further
clarification of any issues. A big help was that the tutors sit the
exams too, so they appreciate the quirks of the papers and foibles
of the examiners, pointing out sticky subjects that could trip you
up and topics which are consistently addressed. Due to work
commitments, I was unable to attend a course for one of the exams I
sat and tellingly, felt significantly less confident and
prepared without the advice and support offered on the course by
the tutors.”
About the study materials
“The study materials have proven invaluable; the sheer range of
materials and ways to learn are great to combat ‘study fatigue’! I
find ploughing through the books tough going at the end of a
working day, so appreciate the option of going online and
downloading MP3 versions of the tutorials or sitting and reading
the workbook whilst a tutor talks you through the important points,
which really helps you to concentrate. For pre-exam cramming where
every minute counts, iPod downloads make bus journeys or the walk
to work into useful revision time too. The practice exams that are
provided in booklet form help to provide reassurance that the exam
won’t be an entirely unexpected experience, but the option of
undertaking questions from a seemingly endless online bank
(chapter-by-chapter) really drills home areas that need work or
further clarity. There are also simple tools such as a glossary of
commonly used terms online, which I have referred to for the
purposes of both study and clarification of terms used in a
business context. Having not picked up a calculator for ten years,
the online modules which go back to the basics of financial maths
came in really handy!”
About Customer Services
“I was amazed by the services available – not sure that many other
organisations would answer email queries at the weekend or be
available for last minute panic cramming questions at 10pm on a
Sunday before the exam the next day, but that’s exactly what the
tutors make themselves available to do! A tutor can be contacted by
phone or email at any time and guarantee to get back to you
promptly to resolve problems or explain any perplexing subjects;
alternatively the customer service team can respond to queries
within office hours.”
About the training in relation to her current role
“The qualifications I have gained by studying with BPP have served
to furnish me with essential knowledge of the investment industry.
So often in a working environment, time is spent bring a trainee up
to speed with the detail of a project or issue and it is all too
easy to forget that even the most basic knowledge has to also be
taught. Without the courses and exams, the vacant expression I wore
in early business meetings could have lasted much longer!”
Would you recommend BPP to your colleagues/friends?
“I would certainly recommend BPP to colleagues in my organisation.
They have played a pivotal role during my introduction to the
financial services, providing a thorough and exceptional service to
help me on my path to career success.”