DANSKE Bank has said it plans to hire 20 apprentices in 2022.
It comes as the first cohort of the Danske Futures apprenticeship programme reached graduation.
First launched in 2018, the scheme is a fully funded, three-year higher-level apprenticeship programme for students who have completed their A- Levels.
Run in partnership with Ulster University, it offers school leavers the opportunity to take up a permanent role with Danske Bank in locations across the north, while studying for a degree.
Danske Bank said eight apprentices from the first intake have now finished their studies and graduated from the programme.
They are all now in permanent roles across the bank in various business units.
The next intake will study for a BSc Hons degree in ‘Leading on Customer Operations’, while working in the lender’s personal banking and operations teams.
Caroline van der Feltz, HR director at Danske Bank, said: “When we started the Danske Futures Apprenticeship programme back in 2018, it was an extremely exciting time and initiative for us.
“Since then, we’ve expanded the programme and have four different apprentice programmes and have 62 apprentices throughout our business.
“Through our apprenticeship programmes, we’ve been able to bring new skills and fresh ideas into the bank while supporting the learning and development of our colleagues.”
Clark Barnes, who joined the Danske Futures programme in 2018 and is now a senior project analyst in the bank’s commercial development unit said:
“When I applied to the Danske Futures Apprenticeship programme, I had just finished school and I was at a bit of a loss at what I wanted to do next.
“I knew I wanted to continue my studies, but I was also really keen to start working. After some research on apprenticeships, I thought they might be the way for me, and when I found the Danske Futures programme, it sounded like exactly the kind of programme I was looking for.
“It’s hard to believe that I’ve finished the programme now,” he continued.
“I feel like a different person from the one that applied all those years ago. My knowledge, skills and confidence have all grown massively, and I firmly believe the combination of university studying, learning while I worked and bringing my studies to my role have all helped me grow massively.
“The support I had from my team in Danske was invaluable, and I firmly believe that I’ve learnt and experienced things I never would have been able to if I’d exclusively studied at university.
“For anyone interested, or thinking about their next move after school or a career change, I’d highly, highly recommend the Danske Futures programme.”
The deadline for applications for this year’s intake is July 29.
