A graduate programme helping to develop and retain industry professionals and future leaders in Wales’ financial services sector is being extended for a further two years following a £1m EU funding boost.

The funding will extend the Wales Financial Services Graduate Programme to 2019 and support a career development programme involving some of Wales’ leading financial services companies such as Admiral, Atradius, GM Financial and Principality.

The programme is offering graduate placement opportunities in areas including underwriting, investment management, product development and accounting alongside a fully-funded Masters degree in Financial Services Management.

The extension to the programme has also been funded by a £1.4m investment from the participating companies within the Welsh financial services industry.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said:

“This is an excellent programme that is strengthening a key industry while helping to retain ambitious young people in Wales and attract talent to our financial sector.

I’m delighted that a further £1m of EU funding is supporting this extension and helping to fund more opportunities for young people to develop successful and rewarding careers in Wales. This is another example which demonstrates how important EU funding is to Wales and reaffirms our case for replacement funding from UK sources after 2020 to help boost the Welsh economy.”