We Are Change

Are you?

We Are Change was our very first initiative and the reason behind The Verve Foundation itself being formed; to help reduce unemployment and, more specifically, to increase talent entering financial services.  

We know that a career in finance can seem inaccessible for someone outside of the industry. Most employers want someone with experience (difficult to get without a helping hand) or qualifications (costly, whichever route you go down) not to mention that the array of roles available within the industry appears to be some kind of closely guarded secret, and the perception of the industry is somewhat ‘pale, male and stale’! 

We’re here to break all of those barriers down…  Introducing We Are Change!

Our programme is for anyone outside of the financial services industry. And that’s it! We don’t care if you don’t have a degree, if you don’t have any experience, if you aren’t the stereotypical person who works in finance; all we’re looking for is: 

Foundations

There are no entry-level qualifications required, but a strong foundation of basic English and Maths skills will be needed.

Dedication

This is a 2-year programme, covering 6 exams and roughly 370 study hours, so we ask for commitment from all of our students.

Passion

We are determined to flood the industry with fresh talent who care about what we do and ultimately, want to make a difference to people’s finances and lives.

Innovation

The industry is in desperate need for new ways of doing things and we believe there’s no better injection of innovation than from people who are looking at things with fresh eyes.

Diversity

Bringing diversity to an industry that has notoriously not embraced this in the past by ensuring we’re giving opportunities to those who would otherwise struggle to get a foot through the door.

so, no matter who you are, where you come from, what you look like, if you can bring dedication, passion, innovation and diversity to our profession, this programme is for you!

By taking part in the We Are Change programme you will get:

Explore the areas below to find out more...

The 2-year programme will comprise a mix of the following:

Self-study

Studying for the exams is very flexible and can be done alongside everyday life! Be prepared to give up some of your spare time, but with a structured timeline of study, you can still have time to binge watch your favourite series, go Salsa dancing on a Thursday, or whatever it is you choose to do with your time!

One to ones

You’ll have regular one to ones to ensure you’re keeping on track with your studies and provide you with the opportunity to speak to someone with experience in the industry, to provide you with support and guidance.

Workshops

There will be periodic workshops to help you better understand the industry itself, the variety of roles available and to help prepare you for your new career. Getting the qualification is just one part of your journey and these workshops are specifically designed to support you in the more practical elements of embarking on a career in finance.

An example programme of events is as follows:

Months 1 to 5

First exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

Months 6 to 9

Second exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

Months 10 to 13

Third exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

Months 14 to 17

Fourth exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

Months 18 to 21

Fifth exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

Months 22 to 24

Final exam
2 x one to ones
1 x workshop

In order to successfully complete the course, please ensure you can commit to the following: 

  • Approximately 370 hours of self-study across 2-years.  
  • Attend all scheduled workshops or watch recordings to keep pace.  
  • Be open and honest in your one to ones, and make sure you can commit to attending each session.  
  • Be engaged – integrate yourself within the community, week help and support others.  
  • Ask questions… many, many questions!  

We believe the key to success is having a supportive community around you. There will be many opportunities to become part of the community, including:  

  • The Verve Foundation LinkedIn & Twitter pages  
  • Exclusive cohort WhatsApp community  
  • Regular events   
  • Networking opportunities  

Sounds good right? Apply here.

We aim to run 4 cohorts per calendar year, so if you’ve missed out on the current intake, we’ll just pop your application onto our waiting list! 

Our latest cohort wouldn't be possible without the support of The Nucleus Foundation.

“Nucleus” mark is a trademark of Nucleus Financial Limited and is used under licence. The Nucleus Foundation is a charity operating independently of The Verve Foundation.

Are you...

Someone outside of financial services looking to kick-start a career in the industry?

An early-stage advice firm wanting to do their own thing but needs a little support?

A potential partner of The Verve Foundation looking for ways to support us?