40 Free Courses To Launch An Investment Career

May 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Edinburgh, 17 May 2010. -  Scotland’s investment industry trade body, Scottish Investment Operations (SIO), is re-launching the course ‘Introduction to Investment Operations’ as the job market shows signs of recovery and Scotland’s shines as an important international investment centre.  
Job seekers interested in pursuing a career in Scotland’s growing investment sector, are being offered the opportunity to win one of the 40 free places, worth £900 each, available on this industry course, which will give access to leading recruiters.
While there are no guarantees for jobs at the end of the course, two-thirds of candidates have found jobs within the investment industry afterwards. Among the companies seeking to recruit through the programme are SIO member companies, Morgan Stanley, BlackRock and Barclays Wealth.  
Over recent months investment firms have started increasing recruitment activities due to the continuing emergence of Scotland as an important international investment centre. The course, previously offered between 2003 and 2008, is a route into industry and is funded by Skills Development Scotland.
The seven-day course, which will take place in two intakes in June and September in Edinburgh and Glasgow, will give delegates a broad understanding of the investment operations business to improve their job chances and provide direct access to leading recruiters in the sector.
As part of the intensive course, attendees are given access to recruiters through informal networking and social activities, including a lunch. Performance is also monitored through a a formal end of course assessment to a more fun fantasy share trading competition.
Funded places will be available to those not currently employed or in full-time training. Those places will be awarded on a competitive basis and applications will be sought from school and college leavers, graduates, career changers and those who have been made redundant.
Alan Thornburrow, CEO, SIO said: “The course offers talented individuals a real opportunity to shine. With the spotlight on the job prospects of graduates this summer, we expect lots of interest in the course as it as proved itself to be very popular and a good door opener to longer-term career opportunities in this growing sector.
“The course offers a highly effective way of firms to recruit staff. Firms will be involved in assessing the candidates for entry onto the course, providing effective pre-screening. While the roles will be entry-level positions, these jobs can lead to roles as accountants, analysts and in settlements. ”
Ian Hanson, Strategic Relations Manager, Financial and Business Services, Skills Development Scotland, said: “I welcome and fully support the aims of this course. Investment operations employers in Scotland have voiced a need for an entry level course, which will give more people the opportunity to pursue a career in this sector.
“The funding provided by Skills Development Scotland will sponsor a number of course entrants over 2010-11. Financial and Business Services is a Scottish Government key sector, vital for Scotland’s economy. We support this industry’s future workforce by providing flexible access to professional training.”    
To find out more and apply online, please go to http://www.sio.org.uk/training. Closing date for the first course is 31st May 2010. Candidates will be asked questions about why they want to do the course and competency based questions around qualities, such as team work.
Notes to editors:
1.   The course will give successful applicants an opportunity to understand an overview of how the financial services industry works and prepares delegates to sit the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment stage 1 of the Investment Administration Qualification (IAQ) examinations, as well as providing a theoretical and practical understanding of the various investment operations functions.

2.   The first intake will be from 15-25 June in Glasgow and the second will be from 9-17 September in Edinburgh.

3.   The course is open to UK residents. The course is fully funded but candidates will need to pay for their accommodation and expenses.

For media enquiries, please contact Sarah Evans-Toyne and Tania Vie Riba at Broadgate Mainland on 020 7726 6111 (sio@broadgatemainland.com)

About SIO
Scottish Investment Operations (SIO) is a professional body working on behalf of the Scottish investment industry. We partner with our member companies to promote the industry and develop skills and qualifications. SIO’s web site: http://www.sio.org.uk
In partnership with The Chartered Institute of Bankers Scotland, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, SIO has introduced the first Diploma in Investment Accounting.
Extensive consultation with the investment industry’s largest employers has shaped the qualification that will address a commonly reported skills gap - the absence of qualifications for new and experienced investment and fund accountants. The diploma will help to grow, develop and retain talent in the fund accounting area.
http://www.investmentaccounting.org.uk/Home.aspx

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