A new skills hub aiming to help thousands of Scots better understand the jobs and careers available in the financial services industry has been launched by Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE).

The new getinto.finance digital platform, backed by Scotland’s colleges and universities, was developed in response to a demand for simple, joined up career information and guidance from and about the financial sector.

SFE has created the new hub to encourage more people, particularly those from underrepresented or disadvantaged backgrounds, to learn about career opportunities, qualifications, and employers in the sector.

Despite finance being one of Scotland’s largest industries, research indicates that many Scots are deterred from it due to a lack of awareness about careers or negative preconceptions.

A recent survey from SFE and communications agency Citypress found that 40% of people in Scotland don’t believe they have the right qualifications to work in financial services, while almost a quarter (24%) believe the industry is elitist.

Scotland’s highly skilled workforce is one of the primary reasons international financial and professional services firms choose to locate here, and equipping more people with the skills of the future is a key plank of SFE’s sector growth strategy, which aims to unlock £7bn GVA for the Scottish economy by 2028.

The hub will officially launch at an event at the Barclays Glasgow Campus today, alongside SFE members, education partners, and young people, with a keynote speech from Scottish Government minister for further and higher education, Graeme Dey.

Ahead of the launch, SFE’s programme director, Christina Anthoulaki, said: “Scotland’s hugely talented workforce is one of the main reasons so many financial and professional services firms are choosing to locate here.

“But people of all ages, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are missing out on a rewarding career in the sector because they do not believe they have the skills or qualifications to succeed.

“getinto.finance aims to challenge these views and encourage more people to learn about what the sector does, the role it plays in our economy, the variety of opportunities available and the skills and qualifications required.”

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Further education minister Graeme Dey also added: “Scotland’s financial and professional services sector plays a significant role to our economy and employs nearly 150,000 people across the country. It also has a global reputation, which has been built on through over 300 years of leadership, innovation and talent.

“The Scottish Government is working with the sector to ensure that this vital industry continues to grow for the years ahead.

“A key aspect of this is to nurture homegrown talent from all walks of life by providing them with the necessary skills they need to succeed in the industry, which is why we are proud to support the Skills Hub alongside the Scottish Financial Enterprise.”