We welcomed our first full-time degree students a few weeks ago. The students, many of whom have already studied ifs Financial Capability qualifications, are spending the next three years studying the new full-time BSc in Banking Practice and Management. The syllabus covers the essential understanding required for a successful career in financial services management and reflects what employers say they are looking for in potential recruits.

When they graduate, our students will be best placed to secure a role in the financial services industry if they are able to demonstrate an understanding of how their learning can be applied in a professional environment. The ifs is therefore encouraging its students to seek out work experience to enhance their future prospects, both generally and through the inclusion of a work-based learning (WBL) module at the end of the second year of the degree programme. WBL can enable students to gain invaluable exposure to the industry while also contributing to their studies.
 
To this end we are currently seeking to identify organisations that may be interested in offering placements or internships to our full-time students.

In respect of the WBL module we are looking for organisations willing to offer a placement of around ten weeks in length, starting in the summer of 2013. More widely, any offer of relevant work experience, irrespective of length, would be extremely welcome, provided of course that it is achievable alongside students’ existing study commitments.

Those organisations willing to offer such opportunities will get, in return, enthusiastic, committed and energetic interns who, having chosen financial services as their future career of choice, will be keen to learn and contribute to whatever work the employer can offer.  They will come armed with a far greater understanding of the industry than those sourced from other institutions.  
    
If your organisation might be able to offer a work placement or internship opportunity, or if you would like more information on any aspect of work-based learning, please contact Sue Sedwell on 01227 818648 or email ssedwell@ifslearning.ac.uk.