The Chartered Insurance Institute and Personal Finance Society are seeking Financial Planning firms to take part in a pilot of new 'T Level' qualifications in finance.

T Levels are 2-year, Level 3, qualifications available to 16 to 19-year-olds in England.

The qualifications in insurance and finance have been designed in collaboration with employers and are equivalent to 3 A levels.

They have been developed to help young people acquire the skills, knowledge and behaviour needed to progress into skilled employment, an apprenticeship, or further study.  

Students must complete an industry placement that lasts a minimum of 315 hours (approximately 45 days) as part of their learning, giving them the opportunity to put their classroom learning into practice in a workplace environment.

In turn, employers get early sight of the potential new talent coming into their sector.

The CII and PFS are seeking expressions of interest from firms across England to offer T Level placements.

Claire Bishop, career partner manager for the CII Group, said: “The new T Level qualifications are an exciting opportunity for young people to engage with the insurance and Financial Planning professions at a much earlier stage than is currently the case.

“These CII and PFS pilot schemes will allow us to work closely with employers and educators, providing the support needed to build a successful pathway for new talent. We would encourage any firm to consider participation in this mutually beneficial opportunity to shape the future of our professions.”

• More information on the T Level pilot scheme is available here, and firms can register their interest through this short form.