You are shining examples for the future.
That’s how the island’s Lloyds boss described the intake of youngsters taken on as part of the bank’s pioneering new apprenticeship scheme.
More than 20 young people are enrolled on the project.
Peter Reid, island director and head of operations for Lloyds Bank in the Isle of Man, told a special gathering to launch the scheme that they could now feel part of an ‘exclusive club.’ He told them that in the next few years one of them may well be standing in his place addressing a similar gathering in the future.
He said: ‘You are shining examples for the future and this is a fantastic opportunity for you all. I hope to see leaders of the future here today’
Later he told Business News he was impressed by the standard of the intake of apprentices who are keen to get involved in all aspects of the banking operation.
‘The standard has been excellent, there are varying backgrounds in the people that have come to us. And I can see they are keen to get on and do well.’
The event was also a chance to hail the success of the bank’s work with people known as NEETS (Not In Education, Employment or Training).
Out of 27 NEETS that went through a scheme some 13 have been kept on to take up jobs with Lloyds which employs more than 700 people in the island.
Business News first reported on the work to help youngsters two weeks ago but the event last week was an opportunity for people involved to meet together.
Mr Reid praised the support given by the government in particular the Department of Economic Development. (DED)
He told the apprentices: ‘It would be fantastic in 10 years if some of the colleagues will stand here where I’m standing and I challenge you to that .’
Mr Reid, who has been island director for the last four and a half years, and with 25 years’ experience in banking, was upbeat when asked by Business News for his comments on the recent setbacks for the banking sector in the island.
He said: ‘Clearly there are some areas of our industry where there is still work to do. From the persepctive of Lloyds, we are very focused on the Isle of Man.
‘We are quite positive. We are focused on developing our relationship with our customers here in the island.
‘We have been here [in the island] since 1897 so we don’t plan on going any where quickly. Obviously what we want to do is develop the best bank for customers .
‘Getting back to good values and people understanding customers through working in the bank. It’s important that people get a grounding in the basics. It’s all about looking after customers.
‘[Some of] the banks have lost their way a little bit in recent years and it is important for us to really concentrate on the customers.’
He praised colleagues ‘who work on the front line with customers and those that work in the back offices.’
He added that Lloyds chief executive officer Antonio Horta-Osorio ‘champions’ the idea of nurturing youngsters into the organisation to gain hands-on experience.
Mr Reid said Mr Horta-Osorio was also ‘really focused on helping women in the bank and encouraging them to reach for the top.’ This was also reflected in the local apprenticeship scheme.
Business News chatted to some of the young people who have joined the apprenticeship scheme and they said they were looking forward to it.
At the end of it they will be awarded the equivalent of GCSE standard and the means and experience to build a future for themselves in the island.
Among them was Rebecca Kent, 21. The former Ballakermeen High School student said she was put forward to take part in the scheme by her line manager at Lloyds where she has been since November 2012. Rebecca who lives in Douglas, said: ‘ I think the apprenticeship scheme will open more doors. It will give me more understanding of the bank and the processes and different ways to manage, such as interacting with customers.’
Abby Horrocks, 18, said she was also looking forward to the scheme.
Abby said she joined Lloyds in November 2013.
She said she was up for it after learning of the apprenticeship scheme.
Yasmin Bardsley, 20, said going on the scheme should help her progress in her career in banking.
MLC Tony Wild, DED political member for employment and skills group, told the audience, praised the ‘unsung heroes’ who had helped get the scheme going.
Mr Wild, who is also a former island director of Lloyds, referred to the government’s Vision 2020 blueprint which highlighted the partnership between the public and private sector.
Andy Stewart of the DED also spoke about the scheme.