Graduates 'key to new finance jobs' in Wales
Financial services companies could be attracted to Wales thanks to an innovative graduate scheme, according to industry experts.
It is hoped the Welsh Financial Services graduate programme will help bring jobs from London.
Graduates get a masters degree and learn on the job at firms including Atradius and Admiral.
Anne Middleton, of Atradius, said having talented people would be key to improving the financial sector.
The Welsh government-backed programme was set up two years ago because it was felt there needed to be better training for people coming into the financial services sector in Wales.
Five Wales-based companies offer work placements to the graduates. They also include Composite Legal, GMAC Financial Services and Principality Building Society.
The inaugural graduates of the programme will host the first Welsh National Finance Conference in Cardiff on Monday to showcase the degree.
Ms Middleton, who is also Welsh chair of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services, said they hoped to attract some of Wales' "future leaders" in the financial sector and give them support and advice.
"As a collective of Wales' most influential finance businesses, we are committed to offering young people the highest standards of training and experience to give them every chance of a bright future," she said.
She added the graduate scheme was important to the industry.
"They are bright new young things who can come into our organisations and really make a difference in terms of their new ideas," Ms Middleton said.