Monmouthshire Building Society (MBS) has launched MBS Community Academy, a pilot programme aimed at creating career opportunities.
The MBS Community Academy will offer up to six paid entry-level placements for a duration of 12 months, providing candidates with the skills and knowledge to start their careers.
At the end of the placement, candidates will have the opportunity to apply for any permanent roles available at the society.
The academy will be open to anyone aged over 16, with no upper age limit.
The society also removed any requirement to have a minimum of five GCSEs to apply, and will support potential applicants all the way through the process.
Beverley Flood, head of people at Monmouthshire Building Society, said: “We’re committed to building a thriving workforce that is representative of our communities.
“However, we often find it hard to connect with the talent we know is out there.
“People in our communities have told us they don’t feel financial services is for people like them, they don’t have the qualifications needed to apply, or that the application process is too complicated.
“We’ve listened to that feedback, and we’ve created our MBS Community Academy to tackle these challenges head-on.
“We are embracing the opportunity to break down those real and perceived barriers people face when they are trying to find employment.”
Dawn Gunter, chief operating officer, added: “The MBS Community Academy is a fantastic initiative that will deliver on several of our strategic commitments, supporting inclusion across our communities, as well as bringing to life our core purpose of helping members, communities and colleagues to thrive.”
The society will be hosting two open days on Saturday 3rd and 31st August, 10am to 3pm, where anyone interested can pop along to the society’s branch on John Frost Square in Newport.
Potential applicants will have the opportunity to meet the recruiting teams and have an informal conversation.
The society’s recruitment team will also be heading to Pill Millenium Centre this Saturday (13th July) to talk to young people and their families about the opportunities available through the academy.
Rusna Begum, CEO of inclusion charity KidCare4U, said: “This is an innovative programme from MBS that is showcasing there are alternative pathways into employment with real career prospects outside of the academic route.
“I’m excited to support and promote the opportunities available in our communities and look forward to welcoming the MBS team back to Pill Millenium.”
