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National Apprenticeship Week 2017
Supporting Young people in our Community
18| THE VOICE MARCH 16 - 22, 2017
APPRENTICESHIPS
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The Voice urges young people to grasp great opportunities A
PPRENTICESHIPS ARE about giving everyone the chance to reach their potential and across the UK, more and more people are recognising their value. The Government’s goal for three million more apprentices by 2020 still holds true. However, the figures still reveal that although improving, there is still a level of under-representation in apprenticeship programmes from the BAME community It is for this reason that following on from last year, The Voice is pleased to again produce its apprenticeship supplement, with the kind support of the National Apprenticeship Service and HSBC. ENCOURAGING
Paulette Simpson, director of The Voice, said: “We are pleased to publish this supplement for a second time, and to continue encouraging young people to think seriously about their future careers. “The Voice supports opportunities that apprenticeship programmers provide, and we are keen to support companies that make a concerted effort to engage with young people from diverse communities. “We urge parents to become even more informed and assist the younger generation to identify and apply for these programmes.
ALL TOGETHER NOW: Attendees from last year’s Voice Apprenticeship Forum Photo: Ken Passley
“We again thank HSBC and the National Apprenticeship Service for supporting this initiative and we are confident that this targeted approach will again yield positive benefits for all the participating companies.” Apprenticeships have been proven
to deliver work for young people leaving school, which gives them a chance to earn while they learn. Numerous employers from across the UK have again indicated that they have a real desire to create a diverse workforce and are keen to at-
tract young people from the BAME community. Apprenticeships are beneficial to both employers and apprentices. Leading UK companies and organisations have again demonstrated their commitment by dedicating resources
to participate in this supplement to inform potential apprentices of the opportunities that exist in their respective organisations and to attract new talent from this pool of untapped young people from the BAME community.
Why an apprenticeship could be the KEY FACTS ABOUT ideal way to kick-start your career APPRENTICESHIPS
ALTHOUGH there are many reasons to study for an apprenticeship, training provider 3aaa has come up with its top five reasons why you should consider one as a way to kick-start your career. For many, the apprenticeship route isn’t an obvious choice, but for people who are eager to launch their career, apprenticeships are the way forward.
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN Our first one is probably the most obvious! Unlike other opportunities, you are earning money at the same time as studying for your qualification. The minimum apprenticeship wage is £3.40 per hour, but many apprentices earn significantly more. Just remember that as your experience grows, so will the amount of money you earn. Plus you are not getting
yourself into debts, like with a university course.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE You are going to learn from industry experts, which will give you hands on experience from a relevant source. This means that in the future when you are looking to develop your career, you will have relevant experience to guide you forward. The modules in your apprenticeship will provide you with the essential knowledge and the structured programme will coach you through the skills that you need to be successful. BUILDING CONTACTS In any industry, it is so important to build your contacts. Throughout your apprenticeships, you will meet many people within your business and externally that will help shape your career. Making a great name for yourself and building business
contacts will benefit you massively in the future, so make sure that you are making the most of opportunities. Apprenticeships typically take between one and three years to complete, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the level.
WORK TO GET QUALIFIED Many people who don’t want to stay in a classroom environment find that work-based learning and study with an apprenticeship allows them to progress much further. High achievers are also finding apprenticeships really enable them to get ahead in their careers, with a combination of work and study that means they can be well on their way within an industry, qualified and earning a decent salary before many university graduates have even had their first job offer.
GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT Throughout your apprenticeship, we will ensure that you are supported from the very start. We will make sure that you are set up for your apprenticeship, including CV workshop support, interview master classes and any extra guidance that you need. There are many reasons to study for an apprenticeship and it is always worth doing some research into the courses that you are looking for. There are plenty of websites that will guide you to the course that is right for you and will give you useful and interesting information about studying an apprenticeship. If you have any more questions about apprenticeships or opportunities near you, then contact your local academy today: https://3aaa. co.uk/academies/
n There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice, or start an apprenticeship. n Up to 28,000 apprenticeship vacancies are available online at any one time. n There were 1,656,680 online apprenticeship applications in 2015 and 2016. n Apprenticeships are available in 1,500 job roles, covering more than 170 industries, from advertising and environmental engineering to youth and legal work. n More than 2,600 employers are involved in designing the new apprenticeships standards. n Apprenticeship participation now stands at a record level – 899,400 funded apprentices participated on an
apprenticeship scheme in the 2015 to 2016 academic year. n A total of 270 apprenticeship standards have been published so far, of which more than 84 are higher and degree apprenticeships. n There have been 4,300 starts on new standards in occupations such as software developer and aerospace engineer. n Nearly all apprentices feel that they acquire or improve their skills as a direct result of their apprenticeship. n Apprentices are most satisfied with the relevance of their training (89 per cent), the quality of training (87 per cent), their assessment on the job (86 per cent) and the quality of feedback (86 per cent).
MARCH 16 - 22, 2017 THE VOICE | 19
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Minister of State for Apprenticeships and Skills supports BAME applications
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OBERT HALFON MP, pictured, said: “It is essential that people can get on the ladder of opportunity and get on in the world of work, regardless of how old they are or their background. “We have been working hard to make sure people with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds can have the chance to reach their full potential through a quality apprenticeship. “That is why we have pledged to increase the proportion of apprenticeship starts by people from BAME backgrounds by 20 per cent by 2020.
Our new Apprenticeship Diversity Champions Network, which is made up of 23 employers, will also make sure apprenticeships can work for as many people as possible.”
DIVERSITY CHAMPION: Chris Achiampong, IBM Apprentice
Routes to work
FOR HARINGEY RESIDENTS ONLY
Chinelle’s apprenticeship at Google helped to start her career climb
To f ind out more about apprenticeships and to hear Chinelle’s story visit www.haringey.gov.uk/apprenticeships E routestowork@haringey.gov.uk T 020 8489 2932
haringey.gov.uk 2799.18 - 1126.3 - Routes to Work_PORT_v4.indd 1
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20| THE VOICE MARCH 16 - 22, 2017
APPRENTICESHIPS
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Earn or learn? Why not do both on a BBC new talent scheme WHAT NEW TALENT SCHEMES DOES THE BBC OFFER? We offer apprenticeships, aimed at school leavers, and traineeships aimed at graduates, in all the key areas of our business: production, journalism, engineering, software development, business and legal. They vary from one to three years in duration, depending on the scheme. Some offer a degree, for some you need a degree. For others, you need no entry qualifications whatsoever. We offer a mix of formal training and work placements that allow you build your own networks and expertise and position yourself really well to compete for jobs and contracts at the end of the scheme. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? We are looking for people who are passionate and focused on
Simon Broad, Head of Operations in the BBC New Talent team, talks about formal training and work placements
into the business to work with, and learn from, the best. You will get a mentor, formal training and lots of feedback so that you can become a really valuable member of the team. It’s hard work, but a great way to start your career.
CAN ANYONE APPLY? You need to be 18 at the start of the scheme, but there is no upper age limit. You do need the right to live and work in the UK, and some WHAT HAPPENS ON A schemes require certain qualifiNEW TALENT SCHEME? You will be recruited as one of cations – check the scheme a cohort and will start typically page for more information. in September for an induction HOW CAN I FIND week in Birmingham – that’s OUT MORE? where the BBC Academy’s For more details, go to centre for skills and talent is www.bbc.co.uk/getin based. Follow @bbcgetin for anWe have about 150 new nouncements and tips on your starters every year, so you application. The production will be in good company, and and journalism schemes open typically you will spend the first few weeks on basic train- for applications on March 13. Good luck! TALENT SPOTTER: The BBC’s Simon Broad ing and then we send you out traineeship, you will need to demonstrate some relevant experience.
a career in the media/ broadcasting. We are much more interested in your potential and attitude than your qualifications. You should be prepared to talk about what you have done relevant to your application to demonstrate your enthusiasm. And remember, broadcasting isn’t as Monday to Friday 9-5 routine, so you will need to be flexible. You don’t need experience in the industry to apply for an apprenticeship, but for a
Top 10 tips on how to write a good BBC application By Michelle Young BBC Programme Co-ordinator
BBC looking for New Talent and it could be you! Are you interested in technology ? Are you age 18 and over? Do you want to earn while you learn? Apply now for our technology & engineering traineeships and apprenticeships. For more details see bbc.co.uk/techcareers You can meet the team at our getin events, book your place or watch via facebook live. bbc.co.uk/getin
Get in and start your career with the BBC!
OUR mission statement is to be the most diverse organisation in the world. We want to hear the voices, tell the stories and see the faces of people from all walks of life. Are you able to find new stories and work together with people to tell them? Don’t assume we don’t have opportunities for you. Speak your mind to help build better communities – you are building our communities, help us enrich what the BBC does to contribute to that picture Take the opportunities while they are out there. Ask yourself ‘what can I do here?’ Think about where you want to get to and: 1. Find out as much as you can about the scheme, about the role/ work you might be doing (why you think you’d enjoy it) and about the BBC. 2. Think about your unique selling points on your application. Make sure that you stand out. 3. Always tailor your application to the individual opportunity you’re applying for. Make sure you provide relevant examples and that they are subject-related (e.g. illustrating your content-making talents with a YouTube film for the BBC Production Apprentice Scheme). 4. Think about what we would want from an apprentice/trainee, but don’t try and second-guess the ‘type’ of person we are looking for. Try to include examples of when you have shown these qualities in your application. 5. Try and focus on your strong points.
GOOD ADVICE: Michelle Young We want to know what you can do, not what you can’t. 6. Be enthusiastic about yourself. Your interests, your passions and your achievements all matter. Aim to shine and show a willingness to go the extra mile. 7. Take your time to complete the application. Writing an application in a rush is not recommended. 8. Stick to the word count. Be prepared to provide enough evidence to support your application, but don’t waffle on! 9. If you are unsure about your application, it always helps asking for feedback – encourage your family or friends to be impartial, though! 10. Just be yourself and tell the truth. That’s one of the best currencies we all have in 2017!
MARCH 16 - 22, 2017 THE VOICE | 21
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APPRENTICESHIPS
PROGRESSIVE MINDS APPLY At HSBC, you’ll get to play your part in helping our customers fulfil their hopes, dreams and ambitions. As an apprentice, you’ll benefit from working in a multi-cultural environment where people support and respect each other. When we all work together, great things can happen.
Diversity and Inclusion at HSBC - Being guided by our values HSBC is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse organisation. We believe that the best performing and truly customer focused businesses will be those which encourage different ways of thinking from people with a mix of backgrounds and beliefs that reflect today’s society. We value the contributions and cultures that each employee, customer and supplier brings to our business, making diversity and inclusion core components of the HSBC brand. Our diversity and inclusion strategy also supports our Values: we aim to be dependable and do the right thing; open to different ideas and cultures; and connected to customers, communities, regulators and each other. We want everyone to grow and progress based on merit, regardless of their background, race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or any other difference. We do this by attracting, retaining, developing and recognising the contribution people with different backgrounds make. In the UK, the executives form the People Committee and each executive leads diversity and inclusion in their business and sponsor an Employee Resource Group. These employee-led voluntary networks help raise awareness, build understanding of inclusion issues and opportunities, and provide support to help us create a more inclusive environment, so HSBC people can better connect with our colleagues and our diverse customer base. In the UK, HSBC has groups covering disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation and working parents. In 2015 the overall approach to diversity was rewarded with the Diversity Team of the Year award at the European Diversity Awards. Externally, there’s also a wide range of other activities to engage with young people across the UK – to open up opportunities, support education and training, encourage them in work search and development, and, we hope, attract the best into HSBC. One of our priority focus areas is BAME talent progression and new joiners, ensuring we have a diverse talent pipeline. We are proud to be leading the way through our apprenticeships, graduates, internships, traineeships and work experience programmes. HSBC apprenticeship programmes are open to all, from new starters to longer-serving employees. Since the programme started in 2011, more than 2,500 employees have enrolled in the UK, of whom 65% are female. HSBC believes that a major contributory factor has been meeting the needs of mothers returning to work who want to gain professional qualifications. For 14 to 19-year-old individuals, HSBC offered 300 work experience placements in 2016 in the UK. We also offered 160 school leaver apprenticeship places in our branch network, contact centres, First Direct and M&S Bank. In addition, we made 100 internship placements available to first- and penultimate-year students at university. Furthermore, 147 graduates joined our graduate programmes in our Commercial Banking and Retail Banking and Wealth Management business areas in the UK and participated in the first ever HSBC global graduate induction event, when over 500 graduate joiners to HSBC worldwide came together for learning and development in London. Although the Opportunity Partnership ended in 2016, HSBC continued to run its pioneering programme with The Prince’s Trust, to provide training for young people not in education, employment or training. This is also the flagship programme representing HSBC’s commitment to Movement to Work, a nationwide programme to encourage the country’s largest employers to provide training or work opportunities to young people not currently in work. By the end of 2016, 600 young unemployed people had taken part in HSBC’s youth unemployment programmes in the UK since their launch in 2014, with half the unemployed young people finding jobs, and 87% of these with HSBC. The programme was highly commended in The Prince’s Trust Corporate Employee Awards – Breaking Barriers category, and HSBC will provide another 250 places in the UK in 2017. Some facts you may not be aware of: • HSBC was the first major bank to launch apprenticeships in the UK. Our apprentices have the same opportunities as our graduates • HSBC was the first major bank to deploy a traineeship programme giving jobs to 16-24 year olds who were not in education, employment or training • We are one of The Times newspaper’s Top 50 companies for women to work for, a top 10 global employer for LGBT and sponsor of the Future Leaders, a publication featuring 100 inspirational under graduates from an African and Afro Caribbean background.
hsbc.com/careers Issued by HSBC Bank Plc.
Don’t give up, keep hopeful Glory Augusto was at a low point in his life when our traineeship programme gave him the lift he needed to find a job with the bank. Four years ago, Glory was struggling to find a job after graduating from university with a degree in architecture. He’s now building a career in Global Liquidity and Cash Management (GLCM) at HSBC thanks to our traineeship programme. Glory tells us his story... Don’t give up and keep hope. I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I had a university degree but couldn’t find a job for months. I felt like a failure. I thought all my hard work and studies had led to nothing. My faith, family and friends encouraged me to press on, and the opportunity I was looking for eventually turned up. I didn’t just want a job, I wanted a career. I remember going to the job centre every week wondering if I would actually get a job with meaning. After six months, my job centre adviser Abdul told me about HSBC’s new traineeship programme, part of the ‘Get into’ initiative run by The Prince’s Trust, open to anyone aged 18-25 either unemployed or not in education. I signed “HSBC’s programme up immediately. I attended a taster day with other gave me that little candidates, which gave me a better understanding of spark of hope.” the opportunity. HSBC’s programme gave me that little spark of hope. My month-long training began in March 2014. In the first two weeks we learnt the fundamentals of retail banking, including the psychology behind superior customer service. Only 15 of us were shortlisted from the initial 150 applicants. During the other two weeks, I worked at HSBC’s Premier branch in Mayfair, where I helped some of the bank’s wealthiest clients. It felt surreal to watch staff deal with real-life situations. These included opening bank accounts and approving mortgages, even identifying fraud. Our graduation ceremony was the big finale. We had to give a speech about our experience and share the highlights, which for me was getting my uniform. Joining the programme was the best decision I ever made. This experience helped me build confidence in my ability and I managed to impress my managers. A week later, I had an interview with the Mayfair branch manager. And a week after that, I got a job as a Customer Service Officer at the branch. I am now a Client Service Associate supporting some of the most influential Global Banking and Markets (GBM) clients in the transport, service and infrastructure sectors. “I was so pleased to offer Glory a role,” said Dave England, Senior Client Service Manager, GBM. “The experience he gained through The Prince’s Trust’s scheme was invaluable. He is a real asset to our team.”
22 | THE VOICE MARCH 16 - 22, 2017
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A force to be reckoned with Rated outstanding by Ofsted, RAF apprenticeships allow you to gain a civilian qualification with a guaranteed job at the end of your training
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ODAY’S MODERN RAF is the UK’s aerial, peacekeeping and fighting force. It’s made up of impressive full-time regulars and spare-time reserves who come from diverse backgrounds and work side-by-side to make a difference at home and abroad. When it comes to recruitment our focus is attracting the best personnel, and ensuring they’re well taken care of during and after their service in the Royal Air Force. The RAF-delivered apprenticeships are rated outstanding by Ofsted. Our apprenticeship schemes mean you gain a civilian-recognised professional qualification and upon completion you have a guaranteed job in the RAF, within your chosen field. There are currently 21 different apprenticeship roles or ‘trades’ – from drivers and caterers to intelligence and engineering. We have careers available for those without any formal qualifications and beyond. You will need to complete phase 1 RAF training, where we will transform you from a civilian into an effective member of the RAF. Next, you work towards level 2, 3 or 4 apprenticeships as part of your phase 2 ‘trade’ training which can last one to three years. All equipment required to complete your apprenticeship will be provided by us. An RAF apprentice earns £14,700plus per annum from day one. This increases once you progress into their phase two ‘trade’ training, and again on completion of phase two training. You will also receive free, on-base, medical and dental care. Most RAF personnel work normal hours, with evenings and weekends free to spend with family and friends.
All regulars live on-base throughout their training, meaning you can get to know everyone and get a feel for what life in the RAF is like. After training you can choose to live onbase or off, it’s up to you. If you’re not on duty, and your family isn’t already living with you on-base, you can leave to visit them after initial training when off-duty or during the six weeks paid holiday you’ll get every year. The RAF has bases (also known as stations) across the UK and elsewhere around the world. Most are like small, self-contained towns with shops, gyms, playing fields, post offices, cinemas and even bowling alleys. Personnel can join a club for just about any sport, from skydiving and scuba diving to tennis and sailing, football, netball, rugby, cricket, hockey and athletics. We also offer some less common sports like fencing, bobsleigh, power-kiting, power-lifting and gliding. Adventure training is also a way of life in the RAF. It’s challenging, enjoyable and encourages teamwork. You can also get involved with organising expeditions and adventures at home and around the world. These could see you scuba diving in the Red Sea, climbing peaks in the Himalayas and kayaking the rivers of Canada, all while getting paid. Food on base is subsidised and will cost you
BOXING CLEVER: Cpl Sal Hill around £28 per week for three meals a day. You can expect good quality food that caters for all dietary requirements, including religious and vegetarian preferences. We do everything we can to cater to your personal requirements, including religion. Chaplains are on hand, along with other religious counsellors. Prayer facilities are also usually available and we’ll adapt your uniform, catering and duty roster to meet your religious requirements, where possible.
To gain an apprenticeship you still need to meet all the entry requirements, which are role dependant and go through the application process. More details can be found on our website. If you have the drive and ambition we can offer you a unique and rewarding career. Follow our RAF Altitude Facebook page to get a feel for RAF life. For an opportunity to ask questions during our live Q & A sessions, follow the RAF Recruitment Facebook page. Alternatively, you can visit our re-
cruiting office in London at the RAF Careers Office Yeomanry House, Handel Street, London WC1N 1NP – other office addresses throughout the UK are available on our website. To apply, go online to www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment/apprenticeships Entry age is from 16 through to 35 – up to 54 for reserves – with roles as varied as caterer, chef, aircraft technician, vehicle technician, aerospace battle manager, air traffic controller, cyberspace communications and, of course, pilot.
MARCH 16 - 22, 2017 THE VOICE | 23
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‘One of the greatest success stories of the decade’
PROGRESS: Natalie Ojevah secured a Foundation Cashier Apprenticeship at Barclays
By Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service
E
VENTS have been taking place up and down the country and I’ve been fortunate enough to meet with many apprentices from employers including Barclays, IBM, JCB and Busy Bees Nursery. NAW 2017 has celebrated the best of the best and shone the light on our hardworking, aspirational apprentices and enlightened employers, large and small, around the country. Together, we are working hard to continue to improve the quality of apprenticeships by putting employers in the driving seat, so they can develop the skills of their workforce. For apprentices, it means that they can get their foot on the ladder of opportunity and get the skills they need to fulfil their true potential. I had the great pleasure of hosting the National Apprenticeship Awards earlier this year, along with four apprentices, David, Daisy, Chris and Elijah. It was a wonderful evening and a great celebration of the best of the best employers and apprentices – I hope other employers and learners will be inspired by their stories. Apprenticeships work and that is a fact – the numbers speak for themselves. Ninety per cent of apprentices remain in employment or go on to further education after their apprenticeship. This really is something to shout about. We have also been making considerable progress towards Britain becoming an Apprentice and Skills Nation. Apprenticeship participation stands at nearly 900,000 – the highest figure on record. And since May 2015, there have been 780,000 apprenticeship starts.
With this in mind, the role of NAW in raising the prestige of apprenticeships and transforming the nation’s skills base has never been more important. Apprenticeships really are one of the great success stories of the decade. Through the new apprenticeship levy, £2.5 billion will be invested in apprenticeships by 201920 – that is double the amount spent in 2010-11. The levy will ensure a stepchange in apprenticeship numbers and quality – with increasing numbers of employers supporting apprentices through better quality apprenticeship programmes – giving employers the highly skilled workforce needed for the success of UK plc. We have come an extremely long way and the stats speak for themselves. April is going to be really significant for apprenticeships and our reforms. We will be seeing the apprenticeship levy come into force as well as the launch of the new and independently led Institute for Apprenticeships. Employer-led trailblazers will continue to work tirelessly to ensure there is a quality apprenticeship out there in every industry that is needed. I hope that NAW 2017 inspires many more employers to take on apprentices and individuals to do an apprenticeship, helping us on our way to creating an Apprenticeships and Skills Nation. If you’ve been inspired by National Apprenticeship Week 2017 search ‘apprenticeships’ on Gov.uk to find out more.
‘I worried I wouldn’t suit the banking world, but I haven’t looked back’ NATALIE OJEVAH, now 22, from south east London, dropped out of school at the beginning of sixth form, having not achieved the GCSE grades she expected. She felt overwhelmed by the school system, and knew that being in a classroom was not the best way for her to learn. She was also a full-time carer for her mum, and had been hit hard by the tragic death of her brother in 2010. In order to help her cope with her difficult circumstances, Natalie received support from youth charity XLP, who helped her secure a foundation cashier apprenticeship at Barclays. Natalie said: “Even though I worried that as a young, black female from a working-class background, I wouldn’t suit the banking world, I jumped at the chance to apply and I haven’t looked back.”
From the outset, Natalie loved her apprenticeship, which enabled her to work across Barclays and experience both retail and corporate banking. Since completing her apprenticeship, Natalie steadily progressed through the ranks of the organisation to personal banker, then branch manager and is now responsible for regional strategy for Barclays East region. Natalie has gained an NVQ in Business Management and Leadership and is currently studying parttime for a degree in the same name at Anglia Ruskin University. In addition to the qualifications she has gained as part of the apprenticeship, Natalie has developed a wide range of professional skills. She has learnt how to communicate effectively with people from a range of backgrounds, has organised a series of high-profile events and has
successfully supported a team of four as assistant manager at the Woolwich branch. Natalie adds: “I love that I have been able to bring my personality to the job – Barclays always encourage us to be ourselves and bring everything we can to our work”. Commenting on Natalie’s time at Barclays, Shaun Meekins, Barclays Early Careers, said: “Natalie is a role model for our Grow with Barclays Apprentice Programmes. “She has demonstrated what’s possible when joining at a foundation level, developing and growing academically and within the business which has enabled her to fulfil her ambitions of being a higher apprentice and being on the cusp of securing a degree in Leadership & Management. This is why our apprentice programmes are so beneficial to society, and to our business.”
24| THE VOICE MARCH 16 - 22, 2017
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CHILD’S PLAY: Customers can take advantage of full-size ten-pin bowling lanes at Virgin Money Lounge, Sheffield
The Virgin Money difference A
T VIRGIN MONEY, our ambition is to build a bank that makes ‘Everyone Better Off’: our customers, colleagues, shareholders, business partners and the communities we serve. As part of that ambition, we never stop looking at how every bit of banking works. From developing no-nonsense products, to making things more comfortable for our customers in our Virgin Money Lounges, and using our expertise to do some good in the world through Virgin Money Giving, we’re always looking for brilliant people who want to make a difference inside and outside the bank. Our people are essential to our success, and we can only achieve our ambition if we make sure we have a culture that attracts and nurtures aspiring individuals from all communities to share our purpose and reach their potential.
Our people are essential to our continued success
ers’ Academy. This is our opportunity to develop the next generation of trusted bankers in our industry, to leave a legacy of professional, ethical and community-focused colleagues who can positively shape the retail banking sector for the next generation of customers.
As well as earning while studying for a qualification, our Future Bankers take part in structured development activities, working with internal coaches and mentors, and they are always encouraged to approach new opportunities with a growth mind-set. The Future Bankers’ Academy programme includes modules on commercial awareness with senior leaders from around the business. There is also a focus on personal development with modules ranging from building personal brand and preparing for performance
appraisals to balancing studying with working. As you would expect with Virgin Money, we place huge importance on making a difference outside the bank and all of our Future Bankers take part in a project to raise money for charity. Katharine Chow joined our Future Bankers’ Academy in 2015 as an apprentice and works in our Northumberland Street store in Newcastle. She has almost finished her apprenticeship in Customer Services and is looking forward to grad-
FUTURE BANKERS
APPRENTICES Inspiring young people to develop their unique talents at Virgin Money is an important part of this ambition, and we are committed to growing the number of apprenticeship opportunities we offer across all areas of the bank. Apprentices at Virgin Money join the Virgin Money Future Bank-
uating from the programme. “I joined Virgin Money because I was looking for a customer-facing role with a well-known brand,” she said. “The highlights so far have been passing my Chartered Banker Professional Banking Certificate exam and getting the opportunity to take part in a local community project with The Key. I have met many different people from across Virgin Money which has really inspired me to think about ways to develop my career here. I would love to get some further qualifications and make sure I keep learning in the future.” Steve Morton, Head of People and Resourcing at Virgin Money, is excited about the opportunities offered by apprenticeships.
RELAX: Virgin Money Lounges make things more comfortable for customers to discuss financial issues
“We are committed to breaking the ‘no experience, no job’ cycle. Our Future Bankers’ Academy is providing new routes into careers with Virgin Money and helping young people find a career they will love. We demand a lot from our Future Bankers and expect them to be role models inside and outside of the bank.” Through our Future Bankers’ Academy, we are adding new and diverse talent. Apprenticeships help to ensure we develop the skills we need for the bank we are today, and the bank we want to be in the future.