Prudential 2014/15 apprentices graduated from their training programme at ceremonies held across the UK during August

• 38 young people successfully ‘graduate’ as Prudential apprentices in 2015
• Graduation ceremonies held across the UK – in London, Reading and Stirling
• £4.1 million committed to extending the Prudential apprenticeship programme until 2018

LONDON, 21-8-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Prudential apprentices from the 2014/15 intake of the insurer’s programme have formally graduated from their training programme at ceremonies held across the UK during August.

For this year’s apprentices, the ceremonies mark the successful completion of the programme and the achievement of their formal Advanced Apprenticeship qualification.

The Prudential apprenticeship programme, which began in 2013, offers a high quality training programme, allowing apprentices to achieve a recognised vocational qualification as well as all important work-based skills and experience.

The 2014/15 programme was based around a 12-month training contract, with all apprentices being paid in line with the National Living Wage.

The programme offers placements in a wide range of roles across the business at the insurer’s London, Reading and Stirling sites, in departments including human resources, customer services, risk, IT, operations, sales support, distribution, financial planning and marketing.

Cathy Lewis, Prudential UK & Europe’s executive director of corporate services, said: “At Prudential we recognise that youth unemployment and vocational training are prominent issues in the UK and we believe that apprenticeship programmes provide a vital pathway for some young people as they look to secure their first step on the career ladder.

“For us an apprenticeship programme is about much more than just creating full-time roles for the future in our company. We aim to set up our apprentices with life-skills and a qualification to help them pursue a successful career in whatever field they choose.

“The Prudential apprenticeship programme is about to enter its third year and we’re already seeing excellent results both from those who completed the inaugural programme in 2014 and the young people who are graduating this year.”

Harminder Matharu, head of employer and delivery services for London at the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “It’s proven that apprenticeships can provide the start of a stable career, providing young people with skills for both business and life.

“For businesses who embrace apprenticeships, there are demonstrable benefits. Independent research findings have shown increases for businesses in employee satisfaction, greater productivity and reduced attrition rates as a direct result of employing apprentices.

“Prudential’s commitment to apprenticeships is clear. It provides the young people who join it with a worldclass experience and clear routes for progression. Everyone involved in the Prudential programme should be proud of its success.”

Over the last two years around two-thirds of Prudential’s apprentices have been retained by the company in ongoing roles. Others have successfully secured jobs in different organisations or instead have chosen to go on to university or further education.

Last year Prudential announced that it was investing £4.1 million in extending its apprenticeship programme until 2018 to help even more young people get their feet onto the career ladder.

The 2015/16 intake of 43 new Prudential apprentices will join the business at the end of August 2015.

ENDS

Prudential UK & Europe is a leading life and pensions provider to approximately seven million customers.

The information contained in Prudential’s press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions. Full consumer product information can be found at www.pru.co.uk.

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Louise Wilkie
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louise.wilkie@prudential.co.uk

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SOURCE:  Prudential