Monmouthshire Building Society Wins Award for Innovative Community Academy

Monmouthshire Building Society (MBS) has been recognised for its forward-thinking approach to career development, winning the Creativity and Innovation category at the HR in Wales Awards for its Community Academy initiative.

The MBS Community Academy is designed to provide real career opportunities in financial services, offering six paid entry-level placements for 12 months. The programme equips participants with essential skills and experience to kickstart their careers, removing traditional barriers to employment.

Unlike many similar initiatives, the Academy is open to anyone over the age of 16 with no upper age limit and no minimum qualification requirements, making it accessible to a diverse talent pool.

A Commitment to Breaking Barriers

Beverley Flood, Head of People at Monmouthshire Building Society, expressed the organisation’s dedication to fostering an inclusive workforce:

“We’re committed to building a thriving workforce that is representative of our communities. However, we often find it hard to connect with the talent that we know is out there.

We are absolutely delighted to have won this award, which recognises the real difference we’re aiming to make in recruitment for financial services. The Community Academy embraces the opportunity to break down real and perceived barriers that people face when they are trying to find employment, and we’re proud to be making a real change.”

A Real Impact on Careers

One of the current Community Academy participants, seventeen-year-old Alesha Amin, shared her experience since joining the programme in September:

“When I heard about the academy, it seemed like a great opportunity to learn on the job, gain a qualification, and earn some money. I liked what the Society had to say about supporting members, meeting new people, and the opportunities to grow your career with an organisation that cares about people.

I’m really enjoying my placement. I love meeting new colleagues and members. I’ve learned such a lot since I started, and it’s been good to be hands-on supporting members.”

Alongside on-the-job learning, participants are also working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Customer Services. At the end of their placement, they will have the opportunity to apply for any permanent roles available at the Society.

Further Recognition to Come?

Following this success, the MBS Community Academy has also been shortlisted for a British HR Award, with winners set to be announced in April.

🔗 Read Monmouthshire Building Society’s original LinkedIn post here: MBS Community Academy Award Win