Financial Skills Academy celebrates first birthday

National Skills Academy for Financial Services develops industry talent.

British training providers, trainers and learners joined hands to celebrate the first anniversary of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services which has helped 3000 students achieve their targets since its launch.

Representatives from the Financial Services, including its Chair, Tony Vine-Lott along with the UK Skills Minister, David Lammy and theLighthouse Group plc at Reuters- all gathered to gauge the phenomenal success of the academy over the year.

The National Skills Academy for Financial Services, a non- profit company was created with the aim of delivering world-class, innovative and flexible education and training, modified to the needs of employers and people from all walks of life in the financial industry. Addressing the real need for better leadership and management in the sector, it helps both employees and employers prepare for and flourish in their careers. It also assists trainees with employment opportunities by offering courses that endow them with the skills to improve performance.

David Lammy said: “I am delighted to celebrate the success that the National Skills Academy for Financial Services has had over the last year. This National Skills Academy is helping to ensure the future growth and success of the financial services industry in the UK by taking a new approach to spotting and developing industry talent. I’d like to thank all the employers who are giving their support to the Skills Academy and helping to nurture talent in this vital industry.”

According to the latest National Employer Skills Survey (NESS), 19% of all financial services organizations reported a skills shortage in Britain’s finance sector. The academy sprung into existence to bridge the gap and enable employers, government and other stakeholders design more effective solutions to training needs.

Over the past year, the organization constantly strove to improve the employability of young people by providing high-quality entry-level training and facilities to enhance the skills of existing employees. 

Tony Vine-Lott pointed out: “A Skills Academy in the financial services sector is vital not only to help attract new entrants, but to improve the skills of the current workforce.  In these difficult times it is more important than ever to ensure that our people are equipped with the skills needed to respond to new challenges and I relish the opportunity to continue developing innovative skills and development solutions for our sector.”

The Skills Academy continues to develop its core infrastructure and portfolio of education, skills and training programmes, making it more accessible to people across the nation. This year it is coming up with the new financial services apprenticeships at foundation and advanced levels, designed to create the workforce for the future.
Across the UK, currently, there are nineapproved National Skills Academies, representing real progress towards the Government’s target of having a Skills Academy in each major sector by the end of 2011.

Malcolm Stratified, CEO Lighthouse Group plc claimed that employees and customers have already started seeing the gifts of the academy’s involvement, through better communication and interaction among staff and management.

Rinku Chatterjee