All,
If you are interested in a career in finance, you really should look at the excellent www.directions.org.uk website.
What is this scheme?
In this scheme sixth formers receive a presentation about careers in business and finance from a current undergraduate. Then a proportion of these pupils are additionally offered work experience. This work experience is with one of 15 top financial companies. The Year 12s do not visit the offices in person instead they do the learning online and are allocated a personal mentor from that company – this is called virtual work experience (VWE).
Which companies are involved?
The following companies are providing mentors for the scheme and have been involved in planning the learning units. RSA, HSBC, Nationwide, Catlin, KPMG, Sesame Bankhall, Siemans, RBS, Nationwide, IFDS, Grant Thornton, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, M & G, Co funds. Some of these companies are now considering using this scheme as a way in to filtering applications for their own office based work experience schemes i.e successful completion of this VWE would put student in pole position to secure an office based placement with them.
Who is the scheme for?
It is for Year 12 students. It is targeted at students who are interested in considering progression and careers in the financial and accountancy sector. However, in line with recruitment into the industry they do not need, for example to be taking business at the moment. Students could be from a subject specific group e.g. Taking business studies at A Level or taking specific subjects considered as numerate subjects by the industry e.g. maths or economics. They could also be doing subjects such as geography, psychology or history. The key thing is that you should be expressing an interest in finding out more about opportunities in the finance sector.
If you want to know more, please come and see me.
Mr Kydd.