A NEW Financial Services Training Centre is being launched by The Bournemouth & Poole College to boost Apprenticeships in the region.

The College is working with the National Skills Academy for Financial Services to create the new centre, and is the latest progressive development for the college following the launch of its new STEM Centre (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and Marine Centre this year.

There are already an estimated 7,000 people believed to be working in Financial Services in Bournemouth & Poole, and experts predict an eight per cent growth in the number of people working in the sector by 2018. The College has identified the need to both broaden training and so create a pipeline of talent of those looking to work in the Financial Services sector.

From September a dedicated centre will open at The College’s Lansdowne Campus in Bournemouth. It will focus on developing relevant skills for working in Financial Services, through bespoke apprenticeship training and full or part-time programmes of study.

They will be open to both young people and adults and available to those undergoing career changes.

It will be possible to achieve degree level qualifications.

The new Centre can claim its first success. Even before the doors are open the global financial services business J.P. Morgan, which has a substantial presence in Bournemouth, will be offering 26 apprenticeships.