Professional Banking Apprenticeship Overview
Event Details
Free
Date and Time
Thu, 22 October 2026
13:00 - 13:40
Location
Your event link is available via IOB Learn
Event Details
Free
Date and Time
Thu, 22 October 2026
13:00 - 13:40
Location
Your event link is available via IOB Learn
Discover a New Pathway for School Leavers into Banking and Financial Services
Professional Banking Practitioner Apprenticeship
Bachelor of Science in Banking and Financial Services (NFQ Level 8)
Join us for an exclusive online information session for Career Guidance Counsellors from Secondary Schools and Further Education Colleges. Learn about an exciting alternative to the traditional full-time university route, where students can:
✅ Earn a salary from day one
✅ Gain paid, professional work experience with a leading retail bank in Ireland
✅ Achieve a UCD-accredited NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science degree
✅ Attain the Qualified Financial Advisor (QFA) designation after Year 1
✅ Develop future-focused skills in banking, customer service, financial advice, digital technologies, data and AI
✅ Build a rewarding career in the financial services sector while they learn
The Professional Banking Practitioner Apprenticeship combines workplace learning and academic study over three years, providing students with both a professional qualification and valuable industry experience.
What We'll Cover
• Overview of the apprenticeship model
• Entry requirements and eligibility
• The student application and recruitment process
• Programme structure and learning experience
• Employer partners and career opportunities
• Qualifications and professional designations achieved
• Key dates for the next intake
• Questions and answers
The programme comprises 36 months of blended learning, combining four days per week of workplace learning with one day per week of classroom-based study. Apprentices are employed by a retail bank in Ireland throughout the programme and graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Banking and Financial Services.
Who Should Attend?
• Guidance Counsellors in Secondary Schools
• Further Education and PLC Guidance Staff
• School Career Advisors
• Principals and Deputy Principals with responsibility for progression pathways
This event will automatically close midnight the day before or if its fully booked.
Dr Margaret Fitzsimons
Dean and Chief Learning Officer in IOB
Dr Margaret Fitzsimons is Dean and Chief Learning Officer in IOB. She is a proven leader with a distinguished career across several academic institutions and expertise in developing people, programmes, governance and leading teams and implementing strategy and change.
As a qualified Executive Coach, with 20+ years of business and leadership experience, she is passionate about lifelong learning and personal growth. She has a PhD in Finance, is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and a member of the Irish Taxation Institute.
She holds a Masters in Coaching (UCD), a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (DIT), a Masters in Accounting (UCD) and a Bachelor of Commerce (UCD).
