2 November 2009: The Advanced Apprenticeship scheme developed by BNY Mellon and The National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) offers a fast track to career success and job satisfaction, with 75% of apprentices securing more senior roles after taking part in the scheme.
Analysis of the programme has shown that the scheme also creates high staff satisfaction and loyalty with nine out of ten people who have completed the programme over the past four years remaining with the leading securities services company.
Since it was established four years ago, 110 staff have studied under the Advanced Apprenticeship. The apprenticeship—a combination of work-based development, vocational learning and professional qualifications—offers staff access to education while forging a career with the organisation. The programme is offered to graduates and non-graduates in the firm’s Manchester office and was developed by Manchester Skills Solutions—the lead training provider for the NSAFS in the North West- and includes mentoring programs and a specific degree-level qualification developed in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University.
Sylvia Perrins, CEO of the NSAFS, commented:
“BNY Mellon has shown how successful the apprenticeship programme can be. The scheme provides apprentices with the required knowledge, skills and attributes to succeed in their posts. The level of staff satisfaction and loyalty is an additional bonus from the scheme and shows how much staff value this opportunity.”
Ian Pettigrew, Head of People Development at BNY Mellon Manchester, says:
“When we first arrived in Manchester in 2005 it was clear that we were going to benefit from the enthusiasm of a young workforce, but it was crucial that we could put in place a comprehensive training programme that would channel this energy into providing industry leading client service.
“This qualification ensures our employees have the required knowledge, skills and attributes to be a success in their current and future job roles and the number of promotions shows how beneficial this has been in providing us with a highly skilled and loyal workforce.”
Case Studies
One of the apprentices is Sean Turner, who joined the BNY Mellon’s Manchester office in September 2005. Sean completed the advanced apprenticeship through the NSAFS in two years and now works as an Assistant Treasurer Section Manager. He has received several promotions and has moved onto study a BA in Finance Administration, which is part funded by BNY Mellon.
Sean says:
“The skills and experience I gained through the apprenticeship programme plus the day to day experience at the BNY Mellon has been a real advantage to me. It encouraged me to further my education and fulfils both my personal and career objectives.”
Similarly, Martin Corrigan, Section Manager of the Gilts team says:
“The apprenticeship was a good jumping board to get a degree. It made me more focused on what I would like to achieve career wise. The apprenticeship programme helped me gain knowledge which was vital to working in the financial services industry, particularly in regard to regulatory issues.”
The National Skills Academy for Financial Services offers national centres of excellence in education, skills training and development, led by employers to develop a workforce with the knowledge and skills they need to help service their customers’ financial needs.
Since launch in May 2007, the NSAFS network has grown from having four to over 20 training providers that are now located in seven regions in England.
For more information visit: www.nsafs.co.uk