An innovative financial services graduate programme has been hailed a success as 98% of its current cohort secure permanent jobs in Wales.
Since its launch in 2013, the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme, managed by the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, has grown into a significant talent creation project for what is a key sector in Wales, helping to retain the skills of the top graduates in the region.
As 40 high-calibre graduates complete the latest two-year programme and graduate with a MSc or Post Graduate Qualification in Financial Services Management from the University of South Wales, the majority have already secured coveted roles within some of Wales’ leading financial services businesses, including Admiral Group, Atradius, Hodge Bank, Legal & General, and LexisNexis Risk Solutions.
At the graduation ceremony of the latest programme, seven graduates were recognised with special awards. Maxine Cooke secured the Development Bank of Wales Prize for the Best Overall MSc grade, Megan Jones won the Legal & General Prize for the Best Dissertation Grade, while Charlotte Vick was awarded the MotoNovo Finance Prize for Best Academic Work Based Learning Performance.
Briony Davies won the Admiral Prize for Best Employer Work Based Project, while Alex Nash was awarded the Atradius Prize for Most Improved Graduate. The Optimum Credit and Propel joint Prize for Best Overall Graduate Performance in the Workplace went to Oscar Russell and Shishir Musale.
This is the 3rd cohort to graduate from the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme, which has recruited and developed over 165 graduates to date, and is part funded by the European Social Fund.
Sandra Busby, Managing Director of the Welsh Contact Centre Forum, says: “We’re delighted with the success of our latest cohort. The fact that 98% of graduates have already secured permanent positions in Wales is particularly encouraging.
“It means that we are able to keep our highest-calibre graduates here in Wales, creating an elite talent pool to support the growth of indigenous financial services companies and attract further businesses to establish a presence in Wales.”
Rosemary Eaton, Course Leader at the University of South Wales, said: “We are delighted that the cohort of graduates who joined the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme in 2017 and studied our bespoke, part-time USW MSc Financial Services Management are graduating. They have performed exceptionally well.
“The graduates have provided real value to their employers through their work-based learning projects and have gained an array of skills that will help equip them to become the leaders of tomorrow in the Financial Services industry.”
The Welsh Financial Services and Data Science Graduate Programmes give graduates the opportunity to fast track their careers. Over two years, graduates experience three highly valuable placements, rotating across different participating employers working on real-world business challenges and gaining experience working in different cultures and job roles, helping to create a clear idea of where they want to work in the future. Alongside structured training and development whilst at work, graduates’ study for a part-time, fully funded MSc.
The Programme is recruiting now for the 2020 Welsh Data Science & Analytics Graduate Programme. Contact Rowena O’Sullivan, Programme Manager for further details. [email protected]
The Welsh Financial Services & Data Science Graduate Programmes are part funded by the European Social Fund.
