AbbeyAutoline has announced a new recruitment drive targeting school leavers and young professionals interested in beginning their careers in financial services.
The recruitment is part of AbbeyAutoline’s ongoing apprenticeship programme, which the Northern Irish broker says has proven to be a successful pathway for those looking to enter the insurance industry.
The programme, which is run in collaboration with Belfast Met, offers participants the opportunity to earn Level 2 and 3 NVQ qualifications in financial services while working full-time within AbbeyAutoline’s personal lines sales team. The initiative combines practical work experience with academic study, providing apprentices with the skills needed to excel in the financial services sector.
Participants in the programme will gain practical experience on the job, with a competitive starting salary that increases after 12 months and upon successful completion of the Level 2 Apprenticeship qualification.
The employment-based education model adopted allows apprentices to split their time between Belfast Met and an AbbeyAutoline branch, applying their classroom learning directly to their work environment.
Wendy Close, group HR director at AbbeyAutoline, highlighted the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of financial services professionals.
She also emphasised that the apprenticeship programme offers an opportunity for young individuals to earn while they learn, equipping them with both practical experience and formal qualifications that will be valuable throughout their careers.
AbbeyAutoline said that its growth strategy includes integrating apprentices into the company’s future plans, with Close noting that the development of these young professionals is a key focus. The programme is seen as more than just a job, offering a structured path to career advancement within the financial services industry.
The broker noted that the apprenticeship programme’s success is exemplified by the achievements of participants such as Piaras Dunbar, who was recognised with the 2024 Belfast Met Apprentice Award for Financial Services.
Dunbar, who is currently an apprentice sales advisor at AbbeyAutoline’s Portadown branch, reflected on the significant impact the programme has had on his career. He credited the programme with providing essential hands-on experience and the academic support needed to advance in the financial services industry.
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