Beaumont Robinson has taken on third-year students Francesca Brown and Matthew Knott, while previous intern Lilita Smelina has returned to the Bradford University School of Management to complete her degree.
Five students from the university’s BSc in financial planning degree spent the penultimate year of their course with financial planning firms last year, with a further seven gaining experience of the industry this year.
Elaine Dean, the university’s business co-ordinator, said the firms had been “amazed” by the students’ calibre and their appetite for learning, with some firms offering jobs to the students when they graduate.
Michael Wall, managing director of Beaumont Robinson, said: “The placement scheme has been fantastic. Lilita became part of our team just like any other employee and her contribution was exceptional.
“The placement experience brings the university course theory to life and introduces real-life challenges faced by financial planners. I believe more firms in our sector should be taking on interns.”
Adviser comment
Earlier this year, Caroline Anstee, founder of Northamptonshire-based Anstee & Co, recruited graduates from a personal finance course that she helped to set up at University of Sheffield five years ago.
Ms Anstee said the module, which involves face-to-face discussions and online coursework, is promoting a positive image of her profession.
