NEW APPRENTICESHIP PLACES CREATED IN BRISTOL

A new apprenticeship scheme to help young people take their first steps on the career ladder is being launched in Bristol.

NatWest Group have joined forces with social mobility charity Leadership Through Sport and Business (LTSB) to offer permanent roles with apprenticeship training in the city centre to young people interested in digital, data and customer service careers.

The opportunities will be open to anyone aged 16 – 24 and the apprentices will join a three week preparation and support boot camp, followed by guaranteed interviews. Successful candidates will then be invited to join the NatWest Group apprentice scheme on starting salaries of at least £19,000. 

The bootcamps, which takes place in the summer, will offer a combination of pastoral support, employment skills, and personal and professional opportunities to ensure young people are confident, ready and equipped for interviews and the workplace. The new roles will begin in October and candidates need to apply to LTSB via their website by the 30th May 2021.

The Bristol region has been selected as an area where youth unemployment is an issue and the impact of COVID-19 has hit young people disproportionately.

LTSB and NatWest will focus on support in particular for those identified as being eligible for free school meals, live in areas of deprivation and face multiple barriers to employment and career opportunities.

The partnership supports talented individuals from economically and socially less advantaged backgrounds to ensure young people are confident, ready and equipped for the workplace.

Last year (2020) saw 60 young people placed into well paid apprenticeship opportunities that included software developers, digital skills professionals, data analysts and financial customer service advisor roles.  There are opportunities for 94 young people to launch their careers with NatWest Group in 2021.

Matt Hatcher, Director, Corporate & Commercial Banking, West of England region at NatWest Group said: “We are delighted that Bristol has been added to the bank’s social mobility programme in 2021 providing career opportunities for young people from underserved communities in our City.  Recruitment has started for Level 3 senior financial customer service advisor, Level 4 software developer and Level 4 data analyst, Level 6 digital and technology degree and Level 6 digital user experience degree apprenticeship opportunities. ” 

Saima Hamid, LTSB Digital & Technology degree apprentice said: “The LTSB Boot camp is career changing. It equips you with essential employability skills that would be required in any role as well as essential soft skills. This opportunity allows you to meet professionals from several different backgrounds and roles, giving you a detailed insight of what it’s like working in a business environment.”

Sam Bowerman HR Director of Customer Businesses at NatWest Group said: “Our apprentices bring new ideas, a new perspective, digital skills and they challenge the way we do things to ensure our services reflect our customer needs. We are proud to partner with LTSB who support us with our social mobility apprenticeship programmes. This helps us to open up more apprenticeship opportunities to young people from less advantaged backgrounds across the UK during this challenging time.”

Paul Evans, CEO of LTSB said: “In the most difficult of circumstances, at a time when young people feel their futures have been “stolen”, partnerships like this offer hope to so many young people. NatWest Group once again has demonstrated their commitment to social mobility and purpose-based leadership. Together we are making a dent in the youth unemployment crisis and ensuring that bright, talented, amazing young people find meaningful careers that match their aspirations, talents and ambitions. We are a proud partner of NatWest Group and are excited about the opportunities that will benefit so many young people in Bristol and across the UK.”