The Company seeks to promote recruitment and development of employees for the financial services industry with particular emphasis on those younger people in the immediate area of the City who would not normally be able to aspire to a City job. Statistics show that our immediate neighbours are under-represented in our sector. Therefore our focus is directed at implementing programmes that seek to redress the imbalance by tapping into this talented and ethnically diverse population. Though our work is still in its infancy this paper outlines a combination of programmes we are involved with or are evaluating for future implementation. Many of these activities have been developed in association with other important groups in the City (see Professional Links below). Company members and their firms are providing considerable support in the achievement of these goals. It is our firm belief that the individual efforts of our members to make a significant contribution to the local community will be greatly enhanced by working in concert.

The Company has forged several critical alliances in the City to further our work. The groups profiled below have worked with the Company to identify and implement specific programmes of interest for our Members. We have achieved some notable successes and have laid the foundations for long term positive impact in our industry and the community. We invite you to consider these programmes and to contact us if you wish to play a more active role.

Every year the Company sets itself the challenge of creating new paid summer traineeship positions and building on past success. Recently Members and their firms provided seventeen paid summer traineeship positions to students from local schools recruited through the Brokerage. For many firms this represented the first time they considered tapping this diverse local talent pool to meet their short-term requirements. These positions covered a wide array of responsibilities including roles in technology, compliance, operations, and dealing room support. For the students themselves who are of A level standard with many attending university this marked a significant start along their career development path. We are pleased to have such broad-based support from employers in the City. We hope to deepen our penetration and as a Company to leverage the strength of our membership to make a profound impact in the local community.

Junior Vacancies – Many of the Brokerage candidates are seeking entry level/junior roles in the City. Links with City employers and recruitment agencies have provided it with the knowledge, contacts and experience to prepare, pre-select and introduce the most suitable candidates for particular positions. Members are asked to consider adding the Brokerage to their lists of preferred recruitment sources for any future entry level/junior vacancies. This initiative has resulted in several full-time positions at Company member firms who have been recruited though the Brokerage.

Support In-Kind – There are many varied ways to support outreach programmes at both an individual and corporate level. The Company encourages participation through hosting and or facilitating half-day workshops and providing speakers to address small groups of young people as well as teachers providing insight into the City, skills and attributes needed for City jobs. The Company has collaborated with the Brokerage and Members and their firms have in the past conducted twelve half-day programmes on working in the city for students and teachers from the local schools. These sessions provided the participants with a first time introduction to job opportunities within the City and the skills and qualities that are needed to secure employment. The format included industry background as well as practical sessions on interview techniques and CV presentation. We will resume our support and participation in these workshops in coming years. Members wishing to play a role with this activity are welcome to contact the Company office.