The first set of graduate trainees at advice network The Openwork Partnership have moved into advice roles after completing their professional exams.

The graduate scheme was launched in January 2021.

The 14 graduates are either working as wealth advisers or in head office roles.

They spent the last year gaining industry qualifications as well as supporting the roll-out of the network’s CRM system ConcertHub.

 An additional 17 graduates from the class of 2022 joined the company in October last year on a two-year plan.

One of the graduates, Max Pascazio, joined The Penny Group in London after completing the scheme and has combined that with moving from Dunblane in Scotland, where he mainly completed his graduate training working remotely.

Another of the graduates Nada Darbani applied to the graduate scheme after completing a Master’s in International Financial Development following her original degree in Economics. She now works for BSG Financial Solutions where her long-term aim is to become a wealth adviser after finishing her mortgage qualifications.

Harvey Butler joined the graduate scheme from a role in a recruitment company in the events industry who saw his job disappear during the Coronavirus pandemic. He now works at Openwork network firm Prosperity Financial Services.

Carrie Morris, chief people officer at The Openwork Partnership, said: “Our graduate scheme has been a huge success and it’s a real pleasure to see the first graduates move on to valued roles across the business and the network working with our partner firms.

“All the graduates bring a fresh perspective to the business, as we work to help mentor and support the next generation of advisers and specialists entering the financial services industry.”

The Openwork Partnership has over 4,300 financial advisers across the UK and operates as a multi-panel distribution network.