Shaping the next generation of talent in the financial services sector.
The future of talent in our industry won’t shape itself. This is your opportunity – join our new multi-firm industry apprenticeship programme and let us help you utilise your apprenticeship levy. You gain access to motivated, high-calibre apprentices, strengthen your employer brand, and drive our collective ambition to broaden the early careers opportunities across the industry. Together we can make a difference.
Are you a firm interested in participating?
Confirm your firm’s involvement to secure a place in the pilot cohort.
Are you an apprentice looking for a role in the finance industry?
The challenge?
- Across the industry, 82% of apprenticeship levy funds go unused – £3.3 billion that could be training tomorrow’s talent. (The Investment Association, 2024)
- Levy contributions are large in the industry relative to apprenticeship uptake.
- Many not using their levy cite uncertainty about how to set them up. (Besttech Partners)
- Our industry still hires from a small talent pool. 60% of senior City leaders are privately educated. Only 18% of senior roles come from lower socio-economic backgrounds. (The Sutton Trust and Progress Together).
- Teams that have individuals with a wide range of different backgrounds and perspectives can create clear competitive advantages, if harnessed properly. (Alex Edmans, Cognitive Diversity Research).
Programme Overview
Target audience: School leavers aged 18 and above with the academic capability to attend university, who choose an alternative, work-based route into financial services
Qualification: Level 4 – Investments Operations Specialist, designed to support progression towards front-office roles.
Delivery partner: Fitch Learning, selected by Inclusion in Finance following an extensive review of potential providers.
Funding: Firms can fully utilise their Apprenticeship Levy, making this an efficient and cost-effective investment in future talent.
Why join the programme?
Higher-Quality Candidates
High-quality candidates from a broader talent pool: Applicants will be filtered to identify those genuinely motivated to build a career in financial services – and our talent pool will include those who have already participated in our Catalyst Education Programme.
Better Outcomes Than Self-Delivery
of running an apprenticeship programme yourself and apprentices will benefit from training and events that we organise for the whole cross industry cohort.
Reduced Administrative Burden
Inclusion in Finance alongside Fitch Learning will manage much of the administrative process including screening and sifting through large volumes of applications .
Targeted Apprentice Support
increasing the chances of apprentices successfully achieving their qualification while learning on the job.
Industry-Relevant Training
Inclusion in Finance and Fitch Learning have the industry knowledge to ensure apprentices are trained with real-world modern investment practices in mind.
Benefits for Members
This Programme offers members the opportunity to:
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Shape the workforce of tomorrow by training apprentices in line with your firm’s culture, standards, and long-term talent needs
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Access untapped talent pools, diversifying entry routes into the industry and supporting social mobility
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Strengthen industry collaboration by contributing to a shared cohort model that enhances peer learning and professional networks
- Be a part of the cohort of firms working together to improve outcomes in the industry
- There will be a ‘support group’ for Line Managers
“Apprentices are the cornerstone of our long-term growth plans at Julius Baer International. Across our business we invest in young talent, nurturing them into skilled professionals who embody our values of excellence and integrity, and our client focus. Apprentices bring fresh perspectives, energy, and a willingness to learn—qualities that enrich our culture and drive innovation.”
Next Steps
It is not too late to join the first intake and benefit from the full programme offering. If your firm is interested in joining the Apprenticeship Programme, please contact [email protected] to find out more.
“At Julius Baer, we are committed to offering apprenticeship opportunities because we firmly believe in hiring based on potential and talent, rather than relying solely on prior experience. These programmes enable us to bring in fresh perspectives, challenge established ways of thinking, and foster innovation across our organisation. By investing in apprenticeships, we not only develop future talent but also drive meaningful progress and diversity within our business.”