Graduate Programmes Wales

Graduate Programmes Wales were strategic initiatives in financial services and data science skills, offering genuine opportunities for graduates to fast-track their careers in these fields.

Managed by Cnect Wales and part-funded by the European Social Fund, the highly successful programmes were delivered in collaboration with leading Welsh-based employers and university partners.

Over 10 years, an impressive 98% of graduates secured permanent roles with some of Wales’ most notable employers all participants developed standout skills sought by the industry.

Unique to Wales, this innovative programme was set up in 2013 in response to widening skills gaps in the financial services industry with the aim of attracting and retaining top graduate talent in Wales.

Over two years, the programme provided highly valuable work experience through three industry placements, rotating across different participating employers. Typical job roles included Product Development, Risk, Commercial Account Management, Project Management, Finance, Financial Control, Business Analysis, Research, and Marketing.

During these placements, graduates were trained and worked with team colleagues on real-world business problems and projects. This gave them unique insights into different business types, cultures, and methods of working, helping them develop a fully rounded skill set across financial services and make informed career choices.

Since its inception in 2013, the programme recruited over 200 graduates, with 98% securing permanent roles in their chosen career paths with their chosen employers.

The Fast-Track programme provided an intensive, 8-month programme of work experience, reinforced by applied academic study. Starting with a comprehensive 4-week bootcamp, graduates gained the ability and confidence to add value from day one of their employer placement.

They developed knowledge of the fundamentals of Data and AI and best practices in application and methodologies, ensuring they were fully equipped for their placements.

During placements with leading Welsh employers including Empirisys, Atradius, Pepper Money, Admiral and more, graduates worked on real-world business problems and projects, gaining invaluable skills and experience. In addition to training and career development, participants also studied for a fully funded postgraduate Diploma in Applied Data/AI, delivered by the University of South Wales School of Computing and Mathematics. This qualification taught the fundamentals of data, including how to understand, interpret, research, and manage complex data.

The Fast-Track Programme was designed to ensure graduates stayed at the forefront of the ever-changing landscape of the data and AI industry, providing businesses with the in-demand skills needed to thrive.