The Openwork Partnership, one of the UK’s largest financial advice networks, has expanded its graduate recruitment scheme to its wider business functions and announced the recruitment of an additional 15 graduates.

It aims to recruit the additional 15 graduates, with 2:1 degrees or higher, on two-year fixed-term contracts. Applicants must have had work experience either after or during their degree and applications close on 31 July.

Graduate trainees will work with The Openwork Partnership’s adviser firms and then have the opportunity to apply for rotations within the firm’s head office including roles in business change, technology, operations and HR.

The firm’s first graduate scheme was launched in October 2019 and saw 19 graduates join the firm at the start of this year.

Last year more than 100 advisers joined the network. Another 80 new staff took up support roles.

The firm says despite the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic it has continued its commitment to recruiting new talent and will continue to do so this year.

Carrie Morris, chief people officer at The Openwork Partnership said: “We’ve been delighted with the success of last year’s graduate scheme and the fresh perspective our ‘Class of 2021’ have brought to the business.

“There has been an exciting exchange of ideas and insights and we have as a business ensured we mentor and support the next generation of advisers and specialists entering the financial services industry.”

The Openwork Partnership announced last week that it is planning a staff return to a revised 5 day a week office working model from 6 September if the government further eases Covid-19 restrictions. 

The company said that while it will open offices five days a week it will adopt a flexible approach to working with all staff able to work part time from home.

The company has recently doubled the number of staff who can work at its Swindon headquarters three days a week to 100 from 50 previously.

It says it plans to give all staff the ability to work five-days-a-week from the office from 6 September if government guidelines allow. Its other offices, including its London building, will also be fully opened as restrictions ease.

At the same time as it opens office doors once more the firm is also introducing a long-term switch to “hybrid flexible working” to provide staff with a better work/life balance while helping the company to move forward.

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