Lloyds International are looking for their next apprentices.
They will be following in the footsteps of Will Holmes who is in the final year of his three-year placement as a Financial Services Professional Apprentice.
Having studied for his GCSEs at Les Beaucamps and completed the IB Career Pathway at the Sixth Form Centre, he joined Lloyds in September 2023.
By next Spring he will have completed the equivalent of a degree in financial services. He will have also gained experience in all aspects of the bank’s work during that time – including retail banking, strategy and planning, and economic crime prevention.
“I didn’t really want to go into a traditional role in finance like admin or accountancy, which is very available for young people in the islands now,” Will said. “I liked the idea of rotations around the business, because you get to work in a new business area every nine months, so that’s why I applied for the apprenticeship scheme.”
While at Lloyds, Will has been surprised at the breadth of work experience he’s been able to gain, while earning at the same time.
“I think people look at a bank and don’t expect them to have all these different departments” he said. “They just see the branch, and they don’t understand that there are so many different areas to work in.”
Most recently, Will has been learning about coding in a banking environment.
“I currently work within the Business Intelligence Team, where we design and deliver reports that provide key insights into financial performance, customer behaviour, and account activity to aid our colleagues to better understand and support our customers. When the business needs specific information, we tap into a vast database, extract the relevant data, and transform it into actionable reports. Over the past seven months, I have developed skills in SQL – Structured Query Language, a universal coding language which allows me to query data efficiently. I have also become proficient in Power BI, which we use to visualise and share insights across the organisation – not what you may think of when it comes to a role in banking, but such an important one.”
One of his favourite departments so far set him to work on a project focused on testing a customer app.
“It’s incredibly different to anything I’ve ever done before,” he said.
“We tested both Android and iOS versions of the app by following detailed scripts and workflows to ensure functionality. After thorough testing, the app was successfully launched on the App Store and is available now.”
Like all apprentices, Will is studying alongside work, with one day a week set aside to allow him to focus on his studies towards becoming a Chartered Banker.
He said his colleagues both in the branch and across the bank’s wider network are supportive, and his mentor offers one-on-one coaching.
“We have offices in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man, so I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with the wider teams across all three Islands,” explained Will. As Will approaches the end of his third year, he is beginning to explore his next steps. While he is not yet certain which direction he will take following the programme, he has the option to apply for a position that aligns with his interests and skills. Alternatively, he may choose to continue developing his experience across different areas of the Group. The possibilities are endless.
Meanwhile, Lloyds is preparing to welcome its next apprentices to start in September 2026. He encourages anyone considering their future to take a close look at what Lloyds has to offer, highlighting the valuable experience and opportunities available through the programme.
“In a nutshell, there are two points,” he said. “There’s the ‘earn while you learn’ aspect, where you get the opportunity to continue your studies and gain a professional qualification, which you can use throughout your whole career, and you earn a nice salary on top of that. There is also the experience you’ll gain over three years. A traditional rotational scheme is only over one year, but this is three years, so you get the opportunity to do so much throughout the bank.”
The application window to join Lloyds is open now to students who completed their Sixth Form Studies (or equivalent) in summer 2025, or those who will be finishing next summer.
The application process to get on to the apprenticeship involves group activities, problem solving and critical thinking tasks, and an online interview.
“Go for it,” urged Will.
“Through the apprenticeship, you gain a Level 6 qualification, which is equivalent to a university degree – while also building three years of hands-on experience across the business. Unlike traditional university routes, you are earning while you learn and avoiding student debt, all while developing practical skills that set you apart in the job market.”
“The experience has genuinely exceeded my expectations,” he said. “Coming in, I was not entirely sure what to expect, but I have achieved so much in a brief time. It is not just the hands-on experience that stands out, your CV quickly starts to reflect real impact, and the qualifications you gain are incredibly valuable. Whether you are aiming for a role within Lloyds or planning to take your career elsewhere, it sets you up with a solid foundation.”
Applications for the Lloyds International Apprenticeship Scheme are now open, closing date 6 December. To apply, or for more information, visit: lloydsbankinggroup.com/careers