Barclays launches the UK’s first degree-equivalent ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship, which is also the first ever apprenticeship in Relationship Management, designed to develop the skills required for looking after the needs of business and private clients.
Tuesday 10th March, during National Apprenticeship Week, Barclays announces it has recruited ten young people to join its degree-level ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships programme – the first Trailblazer apprenticeship opportunity of its kind to go live in the UK. Developed as part of the Government’s ‘Trailblazers’ initiative, Barclays led a group of financial services companies in creating the standard for the first ever ‘Trailblazer’ Relationship Management apprenticeship. The ten recruits will work with teams across Barclays, including in its Corporate Bank, Wealth & Investment Management division and in another first for any apprentice at Barclays, in the Investment Bank.
The successful candidates joining as Barclays ‘Trailblazers’ apprentices come from a range of backgrounds and bring varying academic achievements. Cerys Thomas, 25, from South Wales, started work in a Barclays branch in Merthyr Tydfil in 2011 and is now developing her career by joining the Investment Bank. Ross Farquhar, 23, joins the programme after working his way up from cashier to manager of a Barclays branch. Jack Bates, 18, joins having left school without A-Levels and having spent 2 years doing unskilled jobs on a farm and working for a builders merchant.
Jack Bates (18), Barclays Trailblazer Apprentice, commented:“Growing up, I dreamt of a high-flying career – something my family could be really proud of. But, after I left college, I didn’t think that was going to be possible anymore. I didn’t think I’d actually get on the Trailblazer programme, so I was really excited when I heard that I’d be joining Corporate Banking. It really feels like I’m getting a career at Barclays and it’s amazing that I’ll get a qualification which is the same level as a degree; it’s something I assumed I’d never be able to do.”
The three year ‘Trailblazer’ qualification allows young people to achieve a level six apprenticeship, equivalent to an undergraduate university degree. Five young people from within Barclays and five from outside the business started on the scheme in February following an initial training programme. Each apprentice has been selected following a rigorous application process that received almost 200 entries. The Relationship Management ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeship will focus on developing the skills required to manage a portfolio of larger corporate, small business or private clients. The apprentices will learn about the local market and sector in which their clients operate; the range of financial products and services available to support them and how to build and manage relationships that will lead to long term partnerships. They will also develop an understanding of data and financial analysis, planning and modelling tools and learn how to bring together the right people and functions, both internally and externally to benefit their clients.
Mike Thompson, Head of Employability and Early Careers, Barclays, commented: “The launch of the UK’s first degree-level Trailblazer apprenticeship programme is an exciting development which adds further credibility to apprenticeships as a valuable route into a successful career. Creating new apprenticeship opportunities in financial services is crucial to growing and nurturing young talent in our industry and we are keen to share our insights from the 2,000 apprentices we’ve already hired. Seeing young people grow with Barclays, not just in the skills they learn as an apprentice, but in the confidence they gain, is a privilege. It’s with pride that we launch this new qualification and welcome our first ten Trailblazer apprentices to Barclays.”
The bank intends to recruit a second wave of ‘Trailblazer’ apprentices in the autumn, extending the programme’s reach nationwide. Barclays is also part of a group developing the first ever ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships in the areas of mortgages and Human Resources. Barclays is has working with a range of large and small employers, as well as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), to develop the specialist HR apprenticeship.
Skills Minister Nick Boles said:“As Barclays new recruits show, whether its financial markets or fashion houses, an apprenticeship really can take you anywhere. There have been more than two million apprenticeships started since 2010, and with leading employers such as Barclays playing a key role in their design we can ensure apprenticeships meet the needs of business, our economy and young people.” Barclays is committed to hiring apprentices across its business, with a primary focus on young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) with no prior experience or qualifications. To date, Barclays has hired over 2,000 apprentices, whilst the LifeSkills programme has helped more than 876 young people into apprenticeships and traineeships with local SMEs. In 2015, Barclays will make 800 new apprentice opportunities available and will expand its programme into other areas including: Community Banking, Contact Centres, Operations, Technology, Barclaycard, Mortgages and HR.
In addition to the 800 new apprentices that will be recruited from the NEET segment, Barclays is exploring apprenticeship opportunities for those returning to work. Further details will be announced in due course.
