The National Skills Academy for Financial Services (NSAFS) has called upon financial services employers to recruit school leavers who are finishing their ‘A’ level or equivalent courses, due to increased funding for younger apprenticeships.

The ‘Investing in Young People’ initiative provides £8.5bn in 2010-11 in funding to 16-19-year-olds, while a further 21,000 apprenticeship places have been made available.

NSAFS wants financial services employers to contact the charity for support with funding options and recruitment guidance to tap into youth talent and ensure they do not miss out on these opportunities.  

Sylvia Perrins, chief executive, National Skills Academy for financial services, says: “It is a difficult time for many employers and while many companies are still not in a position to hire, those that are recruiting would be advantaged by understanding the funding options open to them for young people as this knowledge could pay dividends, whether they are a large or small business.”