‘What should I do after my A Levels?’ It’s a question hundreds of the Bailiwick’s teenagers ask themselves each year.
The options include going to the UK or elsewhere for university, entering the workforce, or taking a gap year to go travelling. They’ve all got their advantages and disadvantages, but you can only choose one – until now.
More Guernsey’s school leavers will have the chance to study for a degree and start a full-time job with a “competitive” salary – all while staying on the island thanks to a new opportunity now available.
Guernsey’s finance regulator, the GFSC is launching a brand new ‘Trainee Development Programme’, with successful candidates working for the commission while studying for a degree in Applied Finance with the University of Exeter.
GFSC’s Alice Joy said the trainees would “get stuck in from day one”, working in different parts of the commission and getting the chance to “earn while you learn”.
“Not everyone wants to do that traditional, university-first route,” she said, “And not everyone wants to leave Guernsey – it’s great place to live and work.”
Areas of interest
The trainees will have the chance to work in different parts of the GFSC to find out what it does and how it operates, Mrs Joy said.
And if they have a particular interest in one area – such as financial crime or AI and data science – they can ask to spend time in that department.
When they’re not involved in the day-to-day business, trainees will get dedicated time to study as well as trips to Exeter for classroom-based learning.
At the end of the four-year programme, trainees will be able to apply for a role as an Analyst with the GFSC.
They will be “really well set up for long-term career” in finance, regulation and other areas of the public service, Mrs Joy said.
Trainees would also be assigned an experienced mentor as well as a ‘buddy’ from among GFSC’s graduate analysts, who could “help explain some of the kind of softer skills about what happens in offices and just be there for a listening ear as well”.
‘Warm and inviting’
Mrs Joy said the GFSC is “an absolutely fantastic place to work”.
“We have things like Sports and Social Committee, where we organise events for staff.
“We really do try to take all the steps we can to make it a warm and inviting work and environment.”
Who can apply?
The programme is open to school leavers with a minimum of three Bs or equivalent and at least a Grade 5 in GCSE Maths and English.
The degree will be fully funded by GFSC along with travel and accommodation costs, with study time built in.
Other than academic qualifications, what are the commission looking for?
Mrs Joy said: “I need them to be bright… and I need them to be nice.”
“A key skill is curiosity,” she said, “So, an ability to ask questions, be confident in asking questions and then challenging the responses.”