CM MARCH 2022

Apprentice profile
ADAM Wilde is a Level 2 Apprentice Credit
Controller at United Utilities. He started
his journey in September 2021 with no
prior experience of the role: “From the
start I was eager to learn and excited to
work through my qualification provided
by CICM. From there I have been continuously learning
and developing an understanding. After six months there
is still so much more for me to take on.”
Adam applied for the role as he sees it as a huge
opportunity for him to build a career in credit management
and gain a recognised qualification: “I hope to gain my
Level 2 and move on to get my Level 3 as I believe the
opportunities are endless,” he explains. “So far I have
learned so much about the role and how important it is to
a business’s function. I was shocked to find out that this is
the second oldest profession in the world but I’m not quite
sure as to what the oldest is? (I do. Ed).”
In the short period of being at United Utilities Adam
has encountered a wide array of customers in different
financial situations. Whilst some customers choose not
to pay their bill others can’t pay their bill due to their
financial circumstances: “I understand the importance of
identifying the type of customer I’m dealing with,” he says.
“For customers who are struggling to pay we have a
number of affordability schemes that can help by lowering
their bills and matching payments to clear their arrears
more quickly, whereas for those who won’t pay we record
their missed payments with a Credit Reference Agency
(CRA) registering a default on their credit file and where
necessary pursue payment via the legal route.
“During my time here I have been able to apply what
I have learned to my day to day work. During my time
working with court team I gained insight into the use of
legal proceedings and enforcement to recover payment.
For example when a customer receives notification
advising them a CCJ has been entered they often call up
to make a payment in full to avoid a long term impact to
their credit file.
“Another example of applying my learning is
understanding the risk involved with credit, specifically
the risk of non-payment and the impact to a company of
increasing bad debt, as a credit controller I can help to
prevent this by following the company’s credit policy and
cash collections manual.”
Adam says that the apprenticeship course has
been delivered ‘brilliantly’: “We have gained so much
knowledge,” he concludes. “Our talent coach and our
tutors are extremely helpful and if I’m ever struggling
with anything help is always available. I will be sitting my
end point assessment in seven months’ time, and I am
confident we have access to the best help and resources in
order to successfully complete the apprenticeship.”
Latest in a new series
of how CICM-led
Apprenticeships are
supporting professional
development.
Adam Wilde
Level 2 Apprentice Credit Controller
at United Utilities
“Another example of applying my learning
is understanding the risk involved with
credit, specifically the risk of non-payment
and the impact to a company of increasing
bad debt, as a credit controller I can
help to prevent this by following the
company’s credit policy and cash collections
manual.”
Apprenticeships in Credit
Control and Collections
There are five apprenticeships for those working in the credit
profession. At each Level of apprenticeship you will be able to
gain professional CICM qualifications
• Credit Controller/Collector
• Advanced Credit Controller and Debt Collection Specialist
Apprenticeship
• Compliance/Risk Officer Apprenticeship
• Senior Compliance/Risk Specialist Apprenticeship
• Financial Services Degree Apprenticeship
For more details on how CICM can help you start your
apprenticeship journey, visit cicm.com/apprenticeships
Brave | Curious | Resilient / www.cicm.com / March 2022 / PAGE 56