- Award-winning apprenticeship scheme welcomes 22 new apprentices
- Apprentices join investment and technology teams at FTSE 250 firm AJ Bell
- Scheme enters its sixth year with 140 now having taken part in apprenticeships across AJ Bell
AJ Bell, the FTSE 250 investment and pensions business headquartered in Manchester, is pleased to announce it has welcomed its largest ever apprenticeship scheme intake.
A total of 22 apprentices have joined the business in its 2022 intake. It means that since launch six years ago 74 new apprentices have taken part in AJ Bell’s core Investment Operations Specialist and Digital Apprenticeship programmes for people aspiring to build a career in financial services and technology.
This year’s intake will see 13 apprentices join the Investment Operations Specialist Programme, where they will undertake a Chartered Institute of Securities & Investment qualification as part of their two-year work and study position with AJ Bell.
A further 9 join the Digital Apprenticeship Programme scheme, which will see them obtain a Digital & Technology Solutions degree with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) while working in AJ Bell’s Technology Services team.
The apprentices have completed a three-week induction programme, during which time they met senior leaders in the business, including CEO Michael Summersgill, before beginning their new roles.
The business also offers apprenticeship training on its Team Leader and Manager development programmes for existing staff, with the total number of apprentices to have enrolled across all its schemes now numbering 140.
AJ Bell was named North West Large Employer of the year at the National Apprenticeships Awards 2021, which recognise the very best employers, apprentices and apprenticeship champions across the country.
Applications for AJ Bell’s 2023 apprenticeship scheme will open in November.
AJ Bell CEO Michael Summersgill says:
“We’re delighted to welcome the biggest ever intake into AJ Bell’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has gone from strength to strength since launching six years ago. Developing our people is something I’m really passionate about and I’ve been privileged to witness our apprentices becoming key members of their respective teams, with every apprentice completing the programme subsequently going on to be offered a permanent role at AJ Bell. Our two programmes offer a fantastic opportunity for anyone that wants to build a career for themselves in financial services or technology to join a brilliant team in our Manchester office and study at the same time.”
Max Heath, who recently joined the Investment Operations Specialist apprenticeship programme, adds:
“I really enjoyed the induction period, where I met so many heads of departments which was really good for helping me understand what each department at AJ Bell does.
“I am really looking forward to the networking aspects of the scheme – AJ Bell really values networking between departments and often organise social events to encourage this.
“Working in my team as an apprentice, everyone is so nice and informative. As someone who asks lots of questions, I sure do get all the answers!”
