Openwork, one of the biggest financial advice networks with 4,000 advisers in the UK, is launching its first Graduate Wealth Pathway trainee scheme.

Openwork is aiming to recruit 25 graduates to work remotely or at its Swindon head office and is offering the chance to train for Chartered Financial Planner status.

As part of their initial 12-month, fixed-term contract graduate trainees will work with adviser firms on the adoption of the CRM system ConcertHub.

Openwork says it is committed to helping trainees potentially move on to broader careers in the financial advice industry or at Openwork.

The new scheme adds to Openwork’s other trainee schemes which have seen more than 100 advisers join the network and the expansion of its academy despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

Philip Howell, chief executive of Openwork, said: “I see this very much as a ‘win win’ for both these new graduates and Openwork.

“At a time when employment prospects for our young are looking bleak, we have a chance to give 25 young people a career pathway in our industry.

“They will have the opportunity to achieve Chartered status, grounded in practical experience, supporting our partner firms and ultimately take their place in our succession plans.”

The scheme is open to graduates with 2:1 degrees and higher who have had work experience either after or during their degree.

Openwork aims to complete recruitment by the end of November with start dates in early 2021.

Openwork Limited operates as a directly authorised, multi-panel distribution network. It has panels for pensions, annuities and protection and also has an investment arm called Omnis Investments.