Learning has always been at the core of our Life in Finance programme, and this year has been no different. Working with young islanders clearly shows us that we have a lot of local talent who are ambitious for the future.

Our Life in Finance programme is a special initiative designed to help students move from school to the professional workplace, to support them in learning new skills, and to develop their existing talents. At the same time, though, the scheme gives our Member firms offering placements, some real food for thought about the value our that young people can add to the industry and, in turn, our Island itself.

This year, the 36 A-Level students from the five different schools that took part in the scheme once again learnt a great deal about the variety of roles available within the industry and gained valuable insights about a 'life in finance'.

I'm delighted with the feedback we have received from both students and our Members, who have praised the programme and offered ideas to help us evolve it for 2018. Students say that they would definitely recommend it as a 'taster' for working in finance and for experiencing the workplace environment. They love the variety of roles on offer, meeting new people, the confidence boost it gives them and how the scheme helps them to focus their career ambitions. "A very positive experience", "Very good", "Well run", "Very impressed" – these are just some of the really encouraging comments that have come from our Members.

As another successful year comes to an end, we look forward to welcoming Members and the new 6th form students to the scheme for 2018. I encourage Members who have not yet participated in the programme to sign up so that we can ensure that all of our students are successful in securing a placement. Understandably, if this scheme is a student's first taste of working in finance, we want to provide the best experience possible. The students are bright, positive and keen, and many have gone on to be offered summer placements or undergraduate roles with many of our Members.

On a separate note, as part of our ongoing campaign to encourage more students into the finance industry, we are taking part in this year's Jersey Skills Show. This event is designed to encourage people of all ages into careers that suit their skills and aspirations and Jersey Finance will be a key representative for the finance industry over the two days.

For more information about participating in the Life in Finance 2018 scheme or the Jersey Skills Show, please contact Amari Hernandez.

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