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National Apprenticeship Week

Celebrating the impact of apprentices on individuals, employers and the community

“Skills for life”

We are proud to support National Apprenticeship Week, the 16th annual week long celebration of apprentices. 

The theme this year is “Skills for Life” reflecting on how apprenticeships can help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career and help businesses to develop a talented workforce that is equipped with skills for the future. 

Through the Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme, our ASPIRE and Graduate programmes, and our internships with 10,000 Black Interns and UpReach, we are giving individuals the opportunity to realise their potential and develop the skills needed to kick start their careers.  

Supporting SMEs by helping fund new apprentices

Since 2015 Close Brothers has been supporting apprenticeships through its SME Apprentice Programme.  The programme contributes to the funding of new apprentices in the manufacturing and transport sectors in and around the Midlands, helping local SMEs to secure the skills they need for the future. 

Click here to find out more and meet some of our apprentices

Rosie Davies, a Close Brothers funded apprentice, Class of 2018

“Having such an experienced team around me has helped me progress in my career and develop as a person too.”
Rosie Davies

Jakub Kutcha, a Close Brothers funded apprentice, Class of 2020

“It’s definitely the best thing that I’ve done so far in my working career.”
Jakub Kutcha

Supporting ethnic diversity and social mobility

Our partnership with the 10,000 Black Interns programme provides a six week paid internship, giving students the opportunity to gain valuable insight and experience in the financial services sector.  Last summer, we supported 31 students on this programme.  

In addition, we continue our partnership with UpReach, a charity committed to transforming social mobility.  Last summer’s internship programme offered six week placements for six university students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
 

Meet Simi Uddin, an UpReach intern

“I was particularly drawn to the Close Brothers internship due to the wide range of opportunities.”
Simi Uddin

Sophia Bechev, an UpReach intern

“The perfect environment to learn and grow as a young professional.”
Sophia Bechev

Providing opportunity

Our successful ASPIRE school leaver programme continues to run annually and provides those individuals not going to university with an opportunity to gain experience of different business lines on a rotation basis alongside being supported through training via the apprenticeship levy.

Find out more about our ASPIRE school leave programme

Our Graduate programme offers the opportunity to gain an in depth knowledge of the teams specific to a chosen career path, while gaining exposure across our Banking and Asset Management divisions.