Cirencester College students were visited by guest speakers from St James's Place Wealth Management.

The students studying a range of A Level and T Level subjects, including finance, business, accounting and economics, found out more about the different pathways to a career in the finance industry.

Among the guest speakers was former Cirencester College student, Koray, who studied A Level business, economics and financial studies between 2021 and 2023.

Koray is currently completing an apprenticeship with SJP, and he spoke to the students about his journey into the role, and why he felt that an apprenticeship was the best way to embark on his career as a finance professional.

Sarah Thomas, head of early careers at SJP, also delivered a presentation covering the wealth management industry, SJP's evolving business model and the roles that are available to young people, including summer internships, school leaver apprenticeships and graduate programmes.

Kate Willett, Koray's former business lecturer, said: "Koray was a diligent and quietly confident student, who always worked really hard at college. He has such an inquisitive brain and questioned topic areas to develop his understanding of the key concepts. He persevered and never gave up.

"His presentation was excellent and gave the students a really good insight into how he decided on his next steps, why he didn't choose university and what a career with SJP offers him.

"He himself said that he would never have got up in front of the class at college and presented to a large group of people and now, with the increased confidence and experience he has gained through his apprenticeship, he will!

"I am really proud of Koray and his love of learning new things. His positive outlook towards work at college and now in the workplace means he is able to make the most of every opportunity, which he is!"

SJP has a long-standing association with Cirencester College, with as much as 20% of its early years recruitment intake coming from the college.

SJP also supports a number of students on a range of T Level courses with industry placements and, along with Cirencester College, is part of the Cotswold Economic Advisory Group - an organisation which promotes economic development in the Cotswold district.