Monmouthshire Building Society Community Academy Graduates Progress into Permanent Roles

Monmouthshire Building Society Community Academy Graduates Progress into Permanent Roles

Members of the Community Academy at Monmouthshire Building Society have graduated from the training scheme, with four securing permanent roles at the Newport-based mutual.

After 18 months working across different departments within the Society, six trainees have successfully completed the programme, achieving an NVQ Level 2 qualification delivered by Academy partner Educ8. KidCare4U was also involved in supporting the initiative.

As part of the Society’s commitment to investing in its people, communities and high streets, six Academy places were offered to individuals new to the financial services industry. Barriers to entry, including GCSE requirements and prior job experience, were removed to create opportunities for those aged 16 and over. Forty applicants applied for the programme, with six ultimately selected for the paid placements.

Four of the six graduates have now accepted permanent positions within the Society:

• Sami-ul Islam (17), Newport – Branch role
• Fin Kelly (19), Penarth – Marketing team
• Alesha Amin (18), Newport – People team
• Syras Ali (19) – Treasury team

The remaining Academy members, Safwan Ahmed and Tessa Curtis, are progressing to opportunities outside the Society.

Kristy Maloney, Head of Savings at Monmouthshire Building Society and lead of the Academy, said:

“It is so amazing to see our Academy members graduate today. Seeing them grow, develop and flourish in the different departments around the Society over the last 18 months has been so rewarding.

It’s also great to see so many of our graduates get jobs within the Society while other others move on to promising jobs with other employers with the career foundations they have gained with us, is really gratifying to see. I am extremely proud of every single one of them and am looking forward to seeing their careers grow and flourish.”

Community Academy graduate Sami-ul Islam added:

“Over the past 18 months I’ve had the opportunity to work in the contact centre where I learnt about the different products and offerings we have for customers.

After applying for the Community Associate role, I’m excited to be moving into a branch-based position. I’m looking forward to taking on new challenges and working directly with customers.”

Monmouthshire Building Society, a member of Fintech Wales, has been serving its members for over 150 years. Headquartered in Newport and Cardiff, the Society operates across England and Wales, with a network of branches and agencies throughout South Wales and the South West of England.

For more information about Monmouthshire Building Society and its career opportunities, visit https://www.monbs.com/about-us/careers/.