Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme ’21 launch

Sep 17, 2021

WALES NEWS SERVICE

Wales’ only FTSE 100 company celebrates involvement in ESF funded Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme

The Programme is part funded by the European Social Fund via Welsh Government. Nearly 70% of graduates are recruited directly from Welsh universities and 98% go on to secure roles within Wales’ financial sector.

Delivering the keynote address at the 2021 launch event of the Programme, Admiral Group CEO Milena Mondini, outlined why attracting and developing young professionals from diverse backgrounds is vital for the country’s leading financial organisations.

This year over 40% of all graduates accepted onto the Programme are female, and 30% of places have been secured by those from Black, Asia and minority ethnic communities.  This is the result of eight years of work by developers to build close relationships with university careers services, community leaders and influencers, to create an outreach programme to ensure young talents in communities across South Wales are encouraged to pursue the opportunities on offer.

Speaking to the Programme’s newest cohort as they prepare to begin their first of three industry placements, Milena Mondini de Focatiis, said:

“I’m delighted that Admiral Group has been a part of the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme since its inception.  To date, 19 graduates have joined us in permanent roles following on from placements, many of whom have gone on to progress their careers across the organisation. Their diversity of background and positive energy have brought material value to both us and the Financial Services sector here in Wales.”

Officially launching the Programme, Minister for Economy, Vaughan Gething, highlighted its contribution to growth of Wales’ financial sector, commenting:

“…So, I am delighted to launch the 2021-2023 cohort of the EU-funded Financial Services Graduate Programme. Over £6m of EU funds have been invested in this programme, allowing more graduates the opportunity to pursue professional careers here in Wales, and helping businesses develop the next generation of leaders.  The programme is successfully supporting young people to unlock their potential by developing the skills and experiences they will need to improve their career prospects, as well retaining and nurturing talent here in Wales.”

Over 200 graduates have launched careers here in Wales after seizing the chance to obtain a funded MSc in Financial Services, while sampling a portfolio of career paths as they rotate through several placements with some of the country’s most desirable employers.

The list of leading Welsh companies to incorporate the Programme as an essential part of their recruitment activities includes, Admiral, Atradius, Amber Energy, Confused.com, Development Bank of Wales, Hodge Bank, Indigo Telecom, Legal & General, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Monmouthshire Building Society, Motonovo, Optimum Credit, Principality Building Society, Propel Finance, sa.global, Skillcert and Vauxhall Finance.

Find out more about the Welsh Financial Services Graduate Programme.