Apprenticeships
Financial Services Apprenticeship Programme
The Financial Services Apprenticeship programme has been created to provide clear pathways into the financial services sector in the Isle of Man.
The programme is primarily designed to retain and upskill those leaving school (minimum age of 18), but could also be open to those looking to re-train from outside the finance sector.
The Apprenticeship programme is made up of two distinct parts over 2 ½ years:
Professional Qualification Self-Study
(Up to 6 Months)
Level 4 HNC in Business
Delivered by UCM (2 Years)
Full-time employment with participating firms is required, along with firms’ commitment to allow students day release every Thursday to study at UCM.
This follows the completion of a chosen professional qualification in one of the following:
Banking
Investment
Trusts & Estate Planning
Governance
Professional Qualifications
Banking
The professional qualifications for Banking are provided by LIBF which is part of Walbrook Institute London
Course Link: Level 3 in Retail Digital Banking
Fee: £425
Duration: 6 Months
The key priority for retail banks is to provide constant support and a good customer experience, by utilising data and identifying issues early on to prevent long-term issues.
Certificate in Retail and Digital Banking (CertRDB) addresses these new challenges and approaches the future of retail banking by expanding your knowledge of regulatory requirements, digital banking, automation, products and services.
Understanding the different types of retail banking customers and how customer data is captured and analysed, you will be able to provide a more helpful and effective service to your customers.
Your new skills will equip you to work more independently in a digital environment. Studying CertRDB will provide you with a solid foundation for a broad range of careers across the retail banking space.
While studying, you’ll become a Member of LIBF (MLIBF), receiving benefits including careers support and access to professional networking events.
Course Link: Level 3 in Business Banking
Fee: £425
Duration: 6 Months
The needs of business banking customers are changing. In addition to helping them navigate an ever more complex business landscape, banks also need more focus on early warning signs and managing problem loans to support their customers. The Certificate in Business Banking (CertBB) will help you meet these challenges.
CertBB will give you a solid understanding of your customers, their requirements and the products available to them. It will teach you about credit risk, managing problem loans and digital disruption.
Written by business banking professionals who understand your role, CertBB uses case studies to give you practical real-life knowledge that you can apply at work.
Your new skills and knowledge will improve the service you give your customers. This will enhance your customer relationships and ensure you’re better prepared to respond to future challenges.
While studying with us, you’ll become a Member of LIBF (MLIBF), receiving benefits including careers support and access to professional networking events.
Insurance
The professional qualification for Insurance is provided by The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
Course Link: Level 3 in Insurance
Fee: from £420
Duration: 160-200 Hours
The Level 3 Certificate in Insurance is a core qualification for insurance staff working across all sectors of the profession. The Certificate develops core knowledge and confidence of the key disciplines needed before you focus your subsequent studies and specialise according to your ambitions and career requirements.
It provides a grounding in basic general insurance principles including the regulatory environment, key disciplines of underwriting and claims, in addition to popular products such as motor, household, healthcare and packaged commercial insurances
Investments
The professional qualification for Investments is provided by The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).
Course Link: Level 3 in Investment Operations
Fee: from £450
Duration: 243 Hours
The Investment Operations Certificate (IOC) is taken by practitioners globally to enhance their knowledge and skills of the administration and operations areas of the financial services sector.
The qualification will provide you with an overview of the financial services profession and its regulation, whilst also covering technical units relevant to the area in which you work.
It offers flexibility, as you can choose from a wide selection of units and study at a time and pace convenient to you.
Trust & Estate Planning
The professional qualification for Trust & Estate Planning is provided by CLTI, the training provider for The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Course Link: Level 3 in International Trust Management
Fee: from £1,800+tax
Duration: 4-6 Months
The STEP Certificate in International Trust Management introduces you to the fundamentals of international trust management. A globally recognised entry level qualification, this Certificate is ideal for employers, regulators and clients who are new to the industry or those seeking thorough foundation-level knowledge
The core programme is delivered through a blend of distance-learning and virtual workshops as part of a revision-week series provided online by experts in the field who possess vast amounts of professional experience and practical knowledge.
Governance
The professional qualification for Governance is provided by The Chartered Governance Institute UK & Ireland.
Course Link: Level 4 in International Finance and Administration
Fee: £1,350
Duration: 4-6 Months
International Finance and Administration (IFA) qualifications cover offshore finance, regulation and company management.
This course offers a comprehensive foundation in offshore financial services, covering the key legal, regulatory, and practical aspects of operating within offshore finance centres. It begins with an introduction to the sector and the range of products and services typically offered. Learners will explore the legal environment, with a focus on English law, contract principles, and the distinctions between common and civil law jurisdictions. The course delves into taxation issues, including the role of residence and domicile, tax planning strategies, and the differences between tax avoidance and evasion.
Participants will also gain insight into offshore banking, including account management, payment systems, and regulatory oversight. The course addresses the regulation and supervision of financial services both in the UK and offshore, highlighting anti-money laundering measures, data protection, and customer due diligence requirements. Further modules cover the creation and administration of trusts, company law and governance, and the wider range of entities used in offshore structures. This includes an overview of foundations, partnerships, and the role of trust and company administrators.
Level 4 HNC in Business
The 2 year part time HNC lays the foundations of learning by providing a broad introduction to business and different business functions.
This develops and strengthens core skills while supporting the student in their employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility.
Students will gain a wide range of business knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for a competence) and transferable skills.
Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in the workplace.
Students will be required to attend UCM from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm on Thursdays.
The HNC in Business is made up of 8 units:
Business & Business Environment
Marketing Processes & Planning
Human Resource Management
Leadership & Management
Accounting Principles
Managing a Successful Business Project
Digital Business in Practice
Managing the Customer Experience
How to Apply
1. Choose which of the professional qualifications you would like to take.
Dependent on sponsoring employers industry
2. The employer must agree to fund the chosen course.
3. Employer may apply for funding through the Vocational Training Assistance Scheme (VTAS).
Funding decisions are made on a case-by-case basis by DESC and may be awarded up to the value of 10% of course costs.
Find out more here: Vocational Training Assistance Scheme
4. Apprentice must enrol onto chosen course - links above.
5. Apprentice must apply online to UCM to enrol in the Level 4 HNC in Business course. This must be done before 30th September 2025.
UCM will expect you to be working in a suitable business role to meet eligibility requirements.
Find out more here: Level 4 HNC in Business
6. Employer now needs to apply to the apprenticeship scheme on your behalf.
The employer can apply to the apprenticeship scheme through DESC.
Find out more here: Apprenticeship Scheme
7. Complete your chosen professional qualification by December 2025.
8. The HNC will begin at UCM in January 2026.
Note: The apprentice will be required to attend UCM every Thursday 9:30am – 3:30pm.
Useful Contacts
The Training Services Team (VTAS/Apprenticeship Team)
Telephone: 01624 682379
Email: training@gov.im
University College Isle of Man (UCM)
Telephone: 01624 648200
Email: mail@ucm.ac.im
LIBF (Walbrook Institute London)
Telephone: 01227 818609
Email: customerservices@libf.ac.uk
Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI)
Telephone: 02076 450777
Email: customersupport@cisi.org
CLT International (STEP Training Provider)
Telephone: 01213 627733
Email: cltinternational@centlaw.com
Chartered Governance Institute
Telephone: 02045 860521