Saddleworth apprentice Faith encourages others to follow her lead

Aon plc, a leading global professional services company, has launched its search for apprentices to join the firm in Manchester later this year.

Aon has opened applications for over 50 places across 12 offices nationally for Wealth, Commercial Risk and Reinsurance trainees, a number of which are available at the Manchester office.

The 18-month programme is open to post-A-Level, BTEC or equivalent school and college leavers and will lead to a professional qualification with the Chartered Institute of Insurance.  

A full-time permanent employee from day one, apprentices will learn ‘on the job’ working alongside senior colleagues, attending client meetings, and assisting with junior level tasks. 

They will also undertake regular webinars and workshops, and complete monthly assignments, all supported by their official mentor, line managers, former apprentices and the firm’s Early Careers team.

Newest recruit, Faith Bardsley, joined Aon in Manchester in September 2022 after completing A-Levels in Business, Economics and Sports Science at Ashton Sixth Form College. 

The 18-year old from Saddleworth is encouraging young people to consider an apprenticeship with Aon for the opportunity it provides, and as an alternative to university.

She said: “I wanted to get working and not build up a huge debt at uni, and told family and teachers I was interested in business.

"Someone suggested insurance so I did my research and discovered there was a global company with an office in Manchester city centre providing apprenticeship roles, offering a good salary, full training, and fantastic future career prospects.

“As a big company with a well-established training programme, I feel really well supported as an Aon apprentice.

"Everyone is so friendly and approachable and I’m learning so much from my colleagues who are very generous with their time.

"I’m enjoying working towards the formal qualifications and learning about global markets, risk exposure and solutions, and how to help clients and am looking forward to becoming a client services advisor and building up my own portfolio of clients in the future.

"I’m really glad I took this route and I’d tell anyone wanting a professional career with a major company to look at the opportunities available with Aon.”

As an insurance broker, reinsurance specialist or client manager, apprentices go on to work as part of a major global business which employees 50,000 people across 120 countries worldwide.

Aon employs more than 170  professionals based in Manchester providing clients from SMEs to large corporates, with commercial risk solutions, health solutions, reinsurance solutions and wealth solutions.

Faith’s mentor is client manager Joseph Buckley who completed his apprenticeship with Aon in 2016 and has gone on to achieve his Advanced CII diploma and is now working towards his Fellowship.

He said: “The company is really supportive of training and professional development and the apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a career in this industry. 

“Similarly to Faith, I didn’t want to go to uni and recognised the value of a big company with a structured training programme and career progression, and would wholeheartedly recommend an apprenticeship as a route into a financial services career.

"Faith is doing really well and I’m pleased I can use my experience to help support her.” 

Mike Barber, head of Aon’s Manchester office in Spring Gardens, said: “We’re on the lookout for young people with ambition; motivated and commercially aware, they will be our leaders of the future.

"We will provide the practical training, industry experience and commercial theory, in return we ask trainees to bring a willingness to learn, a passion for great customer service, and an enthusiastic approach to becoming a positive addition to our team. 

“As a company, Aon is committed to developing its employees, providing them with an exciting and rewarding career within a supportive environment.

"The apprenticeship programme allows us to identify and bring new talent into the business, and continue to deliver that quality of service and knowledge our clients have come to rely on.” 

Apprentices will gain the following qualifications: 

Insurance Practitioner Level 3 Apprenticeship

Certificate in Insurance (Cert CII)

Level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths (if required)

To find out more about Aon’s apprentices programmes please click here 

The deadline for applications is February 28, 2023, with a September 2023 start,

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